Mobile Vertical Laminar Flow Cabinet

What is the Mobile Vertical Laminar Flow Cabinet?

A mobile vertical laminar flow cabinet brings downward HEPA protection to fixed equipment or temporary work positions. It is built on a wheeled frame for use at different locations within one facility.

Overview

The cabinet stands on lockable castors at working height and supplies HEPA H14 filtered air downward at 0.3–0.5 m/s over the work area. It may recirculate or connect to a flexible duct, and it can be positioned over filling heads, balances or inspection points that cannot be moved into a clean area. Because the flow is vertical, it covers an open work position without a front obstruction, and the operator can reach the work from the front or sides. A pressure gauge and airflow alarm are fitted, and power is a standard single-phase supply. When moving between areas of different cleanliness, clean the unit before transfer, and check downflow velocity and filter integrity after relocation, requalifying for regulated work.

How does it work?

In a vertical laminar flow cabinet, room air is drawn through a prefilter and a HEPA filter located at the top, and a plenum and diffuser distribute it as a unidirectional stream that descends at 0.3–0.5 m/s over the work zone. Particles shed by the work are swept downward and away rather than towards the operator, and because the flow is vertical, taller items disturb it less than in a horizontal cabinet. Air leaves at the front of the work area and may be exhausted to the room or ducted, and some models recirculate most of the air. The supply filter removes at least 99.97 % of 0.3 µm particles for HEPA and 99.999 % for ULPA, giving ISO 5 or better at the work surface. Face velocity, filter integrity and particle counts are verified, and the cabinet must be sited away from draughts that could break the laminar stream.

What are the key features?

• Wheeled frame with lockable castors
• Vertical HEPA H14 supply at 0.3–0.5 m/s
• Recirculating or flexible duct connection
• Covers fixed equipment or temporary positions
• Access from the front or sides
• Pressure gauge and airflow alarm

What are the technical specifications?

A typical mobile vertical laminar flow cabinet configuration offers flow direction of Vertical, top to work surface, filter class of HEPA H14, ≥ 99.97 % at 0.3 µm, downflow velocity of 0.3–0.5 m/s, mobility of Lockable castors, 4 positions, width of 900–1500 mm and exhaust of Recirculating or flexible duct. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Mobile Vertical Laminar Flow Cabinet is used in filling and capping positions, balance and metrology stations, temporary or batch work and equipment that cannot be relocated. Across the wider Vertical Laminar Flow class, laboratories also deploy it for cell culture and sterile handling, electronics and semiconductor assembly and media preparation and plating.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include ISO 14644-1 (cleanroom classification), ISO 14644-3 (test methods), IEST-RP-CC002 (unidirectional flow clean-air devices), EN 1822 (HEPA and ULPA filters), EU GMP Annex 1 (sterile manufacturing) and GB 50073 (cleanroom design code). Certification candidates for this model are CE and ISO 9001 manufacturing; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Site the cabinet away from doors, air diffusers and people traffic, since draughts above about 0.2 m/s disturb the downward stream. Verify filter integrity and face velocity at installation and at least annually, and change prefilters every 3–6 months. Place tall items so they do not block the diffuser, and keep the front opening clear so air can exit. Clean surfaces with compatible agents and avoid generating aerosols that load the filter. The cabinet protects the work rather than the operator, so do not use it for hazardous aerosols or chemical vapour. Record requalification results, and confirm the recirculated or ducted exhaust path meets room requirements.

How do I select the right Mobile Vertical Laminar Flow Cabinet?

Choose a mobile vertical cabinet when downward protection is needed at a fixed machine or temporary position. Confirm castor stability, exhaust option and requalification after movement. RFQ: equipment to cover, width, working height, exhaust and movement frequency.

How does it compare with other Vertical Laminar Flow variants?

Choose vertical laminar flow when the work is tall, when the cabinet contains a central obstruction such as a jig, or when downward flow is preferred so that particles do not travel towards the operator. Decide whether the cabinet recirculates, exhausts to the room or is ducted, and select HEPA H14 for ISO 5 or ULPA for ISO 4 or better. Match internal height and working depth to the equipment, and consider a sash or partial front for increased operator comfort. For regulated or aseptic work, choose stainless steel with cleanable surfaces and documentation. Confirm face velocity and cleanliness at commissioning. Vertical designs are often preferred in cell culture and sterile handling where a downward draught over open vessels reduces contamination from above.