Kanomax Model 3920 High-Flow Cleanroom Particle Counter

Overview

The Kanomax Model 3920 is a high-flow, portable airborne particle counter engineered for quantitative assessment of cleanroom air quality in regulated manufacturing and research environments. It operates on the principle of light scattering—using a stabilized 650 nm laser diode as its light source—to detect and size individual particles suspended in sampled air. With a nominal volumetric flow rate of 100 L/min, the instrument delivers statistically robust particle concentration data in accordance with ISO 14644-1:2015 Annex B and ISO 21501-4:2018 calibration requirements. Its six-channel simultaneous detection capability enables concurrent counting across user-selectable thresholds—including the standard set of 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 10.0 µm—ensuring direct alignment with ISO Class 3 through Class 8 classification protocols. Designed specifically for electronics fabrication facilities, semiconductor cleanrooms, and advanced packaging lines, the Model 3920 provides rapid, repeatable, and audit-ready verification of particulate control performance.

Key Features

• High-flow sampling at 100 L/min—reducing sampling time per location by up to 70% compared to conventional 28.3 L/min instruments, while maintaining statistical confidence per ISO 14644-1 sampling plan requirements.
• ISO 21501-4 compliant optical system: 50 ± 20% counting efficiency at 0.5 µm; <15% sizing resolution error at both 0.3 µm and 0.5 µm; zero-count performance verified per JIS B 9921.
• True dual-battery architecture with hot-swappable Li-ion modules—enabling uninterrupted operation during extended shift-based monitoring or multi-zone audits.
• Integrated thermal printer supporting real-time hardcopy output of test reports with timestamp, location code, and particle concentration histograms.
• Full-color 6.4-inch capacitive touchscreen with intuitive icon-driven UI and seamless language toggle between English and Chinese—optimized for glove-compatible interaction in ISO Class 5 gowning environments.
• Rugged stainless-steel housing rated IP54 for resistance to solvent exposure and mechanical abrasion typical in semiconductor fab tool maintenance zones.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Model 3920 is validated for use with isokinetic sampling probes and conductive polyurethane tubing (2 m standard length), ensuring representative particle capture from laminar flow hoods, FFUs, and critical process tools. It meets all mandatory metrological and functional criteria defined in ISO 21501-4 for light-scattering airborne particle counters, including coincidence loss correction (≤5% at ≤150,000 particles/ft³; ≤10% above), false count rate (<0.2 particles/ft³), and channel-to-channel cross-talk suppression. Regulatory compliance extends to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic records and signatures), EU Annex 1 (EC GMP), Chinese GMP (2010 Revision), and GB/T 16292–2010 for pharmaceutical and microelectronics cleanroom qualification. Optional environmental sensor modules (temperature, relative humidity, differential pressure, air velocity) allow synchronized multiparameter logging—supporting holistic ISO 14644-2:2015 surveillance testing.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and reporting are managed via Kanomax’s proprietary Cleanroom Manager software (v4.2+), compatible with Windows 10/11 and supporting automated report generation in PDF and CSV formats. Each stored record includes embedded map-coding identifiers (000–999), enabling spatial traceability across facility floor plans—a critical requirement for ISO 14644-1 Annex D root-cause analysis. All measurement files contain digital signatures, full audit trails (user ID, timestamp, instrument serial number, calibration status), and configurable alarm thresholds aligned with internal SOPs or customer-defined action limits. Remote access is enabled via Ethernet connection using secure HTTP/S protocols, permitting centralized monitoring from QA/QC workstations without physical instrument relocation.

Applications

• Semiconductor front-end and back-end cleanroom certification (ISO Class 1–8) and routine monitoring per SEMI S2/S8 standards.
• HEPA/ULPA filter integrity testing via upstream-downstream scanning with optional probe accessories.
• Real-time contamination event response—detecting transient particle bursts during wafer transfer, lithography tool opening, or chemical vapor deposition chamber maintenance.
• Pharmaceutical aseptic processing area qualification under EU GMP Annex 1 and USP .
• Medical device cleanroom validation for Class 7 and Class 8 environments per ISO 13485 and FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820.
• Aerospace component assembly cleanroom compliance with NASA-STD-8739.12 and IEST-RP-CC006.3.

FAQ

Does the Model 3920 support remote calibration verification?
Yes—via integrated self-test diagnostics and optional NIST-traceable reference aerosol challenge kits (e.g., PSL 0.5 µm and 5.0 µm). Calibration certificate documentation complies with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.
Can historical data be exported for trend analysis in LIMS or MES platforms?
Yes—CSV exports include ISO-compliant metadata fields (sampling volume, duration, location ID, operator ID, instrument firmware version) and are compatible with industry-standard data ingestion pipelines.
Is the thermal printer compatible with continuous roll media for long-duration unattended logging?
Yes—the built-in printer accepts standard 57 mm thermal paper rolls with auto-cutter; average print life exceeds 100 km per roll under typical cleanroom usage.
What is the recommended recalibration interval under GLP/GMP conditions?
Annual recalibration is advised per ISO 21501-4 Clause 7.3; however, Kanomax recommends semi-annual verification using on-site check aerosols when deployed in high-risk production zones.
How does the instrument handle high-concentration environments without coincidence error saturation?
The Model 3920 employs real-time coincidence loss correction algorithms per ISO 21501-4 Section 6.4.2, with automatic dilution mode activation above 300,000 particles/ft³—ensuring linearity up to 500,000 particles/ft³.