Putting an end to predetermined "deterioration over time" 

Clean wear is highly effective in keeping the clean room environment clean. However, no matter how well the garment performs, deterioration over time resulting from the fiber fatigue that accompanies operational use and cleaning cannot be prevented. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically buy new uniforms in order to maintain the highest state of cleanliness in the clean room environment. " Do you know how much the clean wear that you are presently using has deteriorated ? " and " Do you know how many of each of the different types of garments you have ? "

" There are virtually no customers who can answer these questions " according to Toshiyuki Yazawa, the person in charge of Systems ADCLEAN IC Tag System. Even if there is a high level of interest in the garments’ capabilities when they are first introduced, there is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of its management, including quality.

The capabilities of even high performance clean wear cannot be adequately realized without strict control. For example, the deterioration of a garment due to slowness in replacing it is a primary factor in the contamination of the clean room, which is an important cause of defects.

In addition, a failure to understand the state of deterioration of clean wear frequently contributes to a great deal of unnecessary replacement. Unfortunately, it is not possible to even be aware of these problems as long as the garments are not properly controlled. The ADCLEAN IC Tag System was born from the need for a simpler way to manage garments.

IC tags are affixed to each article of clean wear, and it is possible to keep track of wear by counting the number of cleanings and repairs. When the maximum number of washings has been reached, further wearing of the garment can be restricted and the clean room environment normalized. Conversely, replacement of garments that have not reached the maximum number of washings can be delayed, contributing to a reduction in purchasing costs, making the tracking and control of condition of the garments, previously believed to be difficult, easier and more accurate. Deterioration over time cannot be avoided. However, it can made manageable.