ENCLOSURES


Performance, precision and reliability are non-negotiables in the aerospace and defense sectors.


E


very tiny detail counts, whether you are building sophisticated missile systems, advanced weapon modules or assembling satellites. To preserve the stability of critical applications, reduce the risks of contamination and to ensure strict quality requirements are upheld, cleanrooms are a vital element of this industry. Even trace amounts of particles can compromise the integrity of extremely sensitive, sophisticated and complex equipment. Cleanrooms offer regulated environments to shield components from impurities, electrostatic discharge and other environmental elements that might degrade dependability or performance. In general, aerospace/defense organisations require a cleanroom for the following reasons:


Producing parts in an atmosphere free of contaminants and dust. Contamination can result in faults or decreased reliability in the intricate components used in precision products such as guided missile systems, drones or space travel. Substances, coatings and adhesives, necessary to the viability of the constituent part, require stable and clean conditions with incredibly tight tolerances for proper adhesion and structural integrity. Research in a sterile, clean environment. Materials can react to mechanical and thermal stresses during launch and orbit and can potentially be impacted by contaminants.


Pollutant-free assembly of components. Defense programs working in the scorching desert or at great depths and aerospace projects functioning in the harsh vacuum of space must be able to survive environmental  pollutants could cause catastrophic failures.


Key Features of Aerospace and Defense Cleanrooms


 air (HEPA) and ultra-low penetration air (ULPA)


22 MARCH 2025 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS


 microns are incorporated into cleanrooms used in aerospace and defense applications to meet the strict industry criteria. Space agencies and aerospace manufacturers must follow stringent cleaning standards such as ISO 14644 or NASA’s planetary protection protocols to ensure equipment operates as planned, while defense projects are subject to exacting military and regulatory standards for quality and cleanliness. These unique demands also necessitate precise control of temperature,  processes and materials.


Cleanrooms equipped with antistatic  damage to electronic components. In addition, delicate assemblies, such as those involving optical instruments, require vibration-free environments. This is often achieved through advanced structural designs.


Customised Designs


A custom cleanroom can include multiple rooms, designed with multiple special features, such as sliding doors, wall switches,


glove ports or a pass-through. For the room  environment, while meeting the required   static dissipation (ESD) compliance, a custom cleanroom can be constructed using specialised materials. The room can even be portable and capable of being disassembled, moved and reassembled at different facilities. Some examples of customised designs include:


The Webb


The James Webb Space Telescope or “the Webb” was developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). In this case, the telescope was to be folded inside the nose cone of an Ariane 5 rocket. An ultra-clean environment was necessary for the telescope to conduct infrared astronomy using high-resolution instruments, so for this task an octagonal Airblock Softwall cleanroom was installed at the top of the launch building, surrounding the rocket’s nose cone.


The Role of the Cleanroom in the Aerospace and Defense Industries


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