KANOMAX 3887Lite / 3887Pro Handheld Laser Particle Counter

Overview

The KANOMAX 3887Lite and 3887Pro are handheld laser particle counters engineered for high-precision airborne particulate monitoring in controlled environments. Based on Mie scattering theory, these instruments utilize a stable 650 nm laser diode light source to detect and size particles via real-time optical scattering analysis. Designed specifically for ISO Class 3–8 cleanrooms and critical process areas, the devices comply with international standards including ISO 21501-4 (calibration and performance requirements for light-scattering airborne particle counters), JIS B9921, and support full traceability to national metrology institutes. Their compact, ergonomic form factor—measuring just 87 × 200 × 55 mm and weighing approximately 600 g—enables rapid point-of-use verification during routine environmental monitoring, filter integrity checks, and qualification of laminar flow hoods, isolators, and transfer ports in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, semiconductor, and medical device manufacturing facilities.

Key Features

• Two model variants optimized for regulatory scope: 3887Lite supports simultaneous detection at 0.3, 0.5, and 5.0 µm; 3887Pro extends resolution to five channels (0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 µm), enabling granular classification per ISO 14644-1 Annex B and EU GMP Annex 1.
• Precision volumetric sampling at 2.83 L/min (±5%) — equivalent to 0.1 CFM — ensuring compatibility with standard cleanroom monitoring protocols and statistical sampling plans defined in ISO 14644-2.
• 3.5-inch resistive touchscreen interface with intuitive icon-driven navigation, supporting multi-language UI (English, Japanese, Chinese) and real-time graphical display of concentration trends and channel-specific counts.
• Robust internal data architecture stores up to 7,000 complete sampling records with timestamps, location tags, operator IDs, and environmental metadata (temperature/humidity if externally interfaced).
• Automatic continuity recovery: In the event of power interruption during GB/T 16292 or ISO 14644-1 compliant testing sequences, the instrument resumes from the last valid sample index without data loss or reinitialization.
• Comprehensive alarm system with visual and audible alerts for flow deviation (>±10%), low battery (<15%), laser output degradation, and exceedance of user-defined concentration thresholds per channel.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 3887 series is validated for use with standard isokinetic sampling probes and flexible conductive tubing (1 m optional accessory). Its inlet design minimizes particle bounce and electrostatic losses, maintaining counting efficiency ≥50% at 0.3 µm and ≥100% at ≥0.5 µm per ISO 21501-4. The instrument meets the physical and operational requirements of multiple regulatory frameworks: it supports audit-ready reporting aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (when used with validated software), fulfills data integrity expectations under EU Annex 11, and enables compliance with China’s revised GMP Annex 1 (2022) for sterile product manufacturing. All units ship with a NIST-traceable calibration certificate issued by KANOMAX Japan, covering all specified size channels and flow rate verification.

Software & Data Management

KANOMAX ParticleView™ PC software (Windows 10/11 compatible) provides secure, role-based access to stored datasets. It supports dynamic overlay of historical trends, statistical summarization (mean, max, min, standard deviation), automatic generation of ISO 14644-1 class compliance reports, and export to CSV, PDF, or XML formats for integration into LIMS or MES platforms. Audit trail functionality logs all user actions—including parameter changes, data exports, and report generation—with timestamp and operator ID. USB Type-C and isolated RS485 interfaces ensure electromagnetic compatibility in electrically noisy production environments and allow daisy-chaining of multiple units for synchronized spatial mapping.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical aseptic processing: Monitoring Grade A/B zones during filling line qualification and routine environmental surveillance.
• Semiconductor front-end fabrication: Verifying particle-free conditions in photolithography tool load ports and FOUP transfer stations.
• Biocontainment laboratories: Assessing HEPA filter performance and room air change effectiveness in BSL-2/3 facilities.
• Medical device packaging validation: Confirming cleanliness of Class 7 cleanrooms used for sterile barrier system assembly.
• ISO 14644-1 certification audits: Generating legally defensible evidence for cleanroom classification and reclassification cycles.
• Facility commissioning and preventive maintenance: Quantifying particle ingress during door openings, personnel movement, or HVAC system start-up transients.

FAQ

What standards does the 3887Pro meet for cleanroom certification?
It fully supports ISO 14644-1:2015, ISO 14644-2:2015, GB/T 16292–2010, and EU GMP Annex 1 (2022) requirements for airborne particle concentration measurement and reporting.
Can the instrument be integrated into a central monitoring system?
Yes — via RS485 Modbus RTU protocol or USB virtual COM port, enabling direct connection to SCADA, BMS, or custom LabVIEW-based control architectures.
Is battery life sufficient for full-shift environmental monitoring?
With typical usage (10–15 samples/hour), the internal Li-ion battery delivers ≥5 hours of continuous operation; hot-swappable external power via USB-C allows uninterrupted 24/7 deployment.
How is calibration traceability maintained?
Each unit includes a factory-issued calibration certificate traceable to NMIJ/AIST (Japan) and includes verification of sizing accuracy, counting efficiency, and volumetric flow against reference aerosols (e.g., PSL, DEHS) per ISO 21501-4 Annex C.
Does the device support GLP/GMP-compliant electronic signatures?
When paired with validated ParticleView™ software configured per 21 CFR Part 11, it supports electronic signatures, audit trails, and data encryption for regulated environments.