Using a known and reliable vertical storage system can minimize the floor space required inside the clean room to store kits and components for production. Abel Womack’s automation group is often called upon to find solutions to use underutilized vertical cube more efficiently in manufacturing operations. This is a very common application for Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs) and vertical carousels. By adding a second access opening on the back side of the VLM, it turns into a vertical buffer system that doubles as a pass-through.

We all know that clean room space is costly, so getting the best productivity out of each room is highly desirable. Providing point-of-use storage for materials used inside clean spaces reduces the time that clean room personnel spend on gathering and organizing activities. The materials can include a variety of categories, including kits, kitting components, cleaning supplies, reagents, tools, test equipment, and more. Essentially, every type of material that has to be brought to the pass-through is moved into the clean space and then staged or stored for use later, interrupting the flow of work and taking up valuable space inside the clean room.

Providing Room to Grow in a Clean Room

Abel Womack has recently installed several vertical storage units used as buffer storage in manufacturing and simultaneously as an automated pass-through from ambient to clean spaces. Additionally, the storage unit can be located outside the clean space and, with proper airflow, become part of the clean space. This increases storage capacity while decreasing storage space occupied in the clean space. In addition, advancements in intralogistics software can manage the inventory inside the unit. Kitting applications can be directed by the software with pick-to-light functionality. This reduces picking/kitting errors and increases kitting and part-picking productivity.

Saving Space and Time

Another popular application for these types of systems is for storing, organizing, and delivering change parts and R&D components. Changing parts on rolling carts covered in plastic is cumbersome and take up a lot of space. Storing them outside a clean space may also require additional labor and time to clean them before reusing them in the production environment. Intralogistics software can limit which associates or engineers have access to specific categories of parts or components.

In addition, Abel Womack has recently installed several automated pass-throughs for transporting finished goods out of the clean room on special conveyors through a small vestibule with interlocking doors to maintain clean room integrity. These have been big time savers for our clients.

Helping Navigate Outside the Box

Clean rooms are boxes, vertical storage units are boxes, and storage cabinets are boxes. Thinking outside the box with some existing and proven technology can produce some very nice results as you work to solve your issues and improve your already successful operations.