Benchtop Laminar Flow Units vs. Full Workstations

A full workstation is a standalone laminar flow hood. It has its own base, its own footprint, and it doesn’t care what furniture you already own.

A benchtop model sits on top of something instead. This can be a table, a cart or an existing bench. It borrows its stability from whatever it’s placed on.

While the distinction sounds small, it isn’t. It changes how you plan a lab layout, how many units fit in a given room, and how much you’ll spend beyond the equipment itself.

Space and Clearance as a Factor

Let’s say a lab has eleven feet of usable wall space and there are three researchers who each need independent workspace.

• A full workstation, with its own base and typically a wider stance, might allow for only two units in that space.
• Three benchtop units, mounted on existing tables, could fit with room to spare.

Clearance matters too, and not just the footprint on the floor.

• Full workstations usually need clearance above and around them for intake and exhaust.
• Benchtop units still need that clearance, but you can get more say over how that space gets used the rest of the time since they sit on furniture you control.

The Flexibility Factor

When it comes to a benchtop unit, it doesn’t ask require you to redesign your entire lab from scratch. Pair it with an adjustable-height table, and a single unit can serve a seated technician in the morning and a standing one in the afternoon. But to do that with a fixed-height workstation, you would need to buy a stool.

This is where RDM’s LF-102P-B tends to come up in conversation. It’s built specifically to mount on existing or adjustable tables, so labs with awkward room geometry, shared benches, or mixed-height staff don’t have to sacrifice airflow protection to make the furniture cooperate. A cramped corner that couldn’t fit a full workstation might handle a benchtop unit without much fuss.

The Scalability Factor

Full workstations make sense when you know, with reasonable confidence, exactly how much capacity you’ll need for years. Benchtop units make more sense when growth is likely but the shape of that growth isn’t clear yet.

Add a table, add a benchtop unit. That’s often the whole expansion plan. Compare that to adding a full workstation, which usually means reassessing floor space, power access, and sometimes structural clearance all over again. One might almost admire how a benchtop setup sidesteps that entire negotiation.

Final Verdict

If space is tight, staff height varies or the lab’s future needs have a possibility to grow, a benchtop unit paired with the right table solves more problems than it creates. If none of that applies to you, and the room can spare the square footage, a full workstation remains the more direct option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a benchtop laminar flow hood as protective as a full workstation?

When properly sized and installed, yes. Protection comes from airflow design, not the size of the base underneath it.

Can a benchtop unit sit on any table?

Not any table. It needs to be sturdy and resistant to vibration. Adjustable lab tables built for this purpose (exactly what units like the LF-102P-B are designed to pair with) work best.

When does a full workstation make more sense than a benchtop laminar flow hood?

When space isn’t the constraint and the lab needs a dedicated, permanent setup with maximum working volume.

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These systems, sometimes called laminar flow hoods or laminar flow cabinets, create a steady stream of filtered air that moves in one direction across the workspace. Sounds simple, but the impact is huge. HEPA-filtered air continuously pushes contaminants away from sensitive materials, keeping the environment clean and controlled during critical procedures.

RDM Vertical Laminar Flow Workstation – Benchtop Model LF-102P-B-SS-SHROUD-01

Why Traditional Hoods Aren’t Enough

A lot of people still confuse laminar flow hoods with regular chemical fume hoods. But there is a big difference. 

Traditional fume hoods are mainly built to protect people or the operators from harmful fumes and vapours. Laminar fume hoods, on the other hand, are designed to protect the product itself. That distinction matters a lot in sterile manufacturing and biotech research. 

The airflow inside these hoods stays smooth and predictable instead of chaotic. No swirling particles float back into samples, and no random turbulence messes with sterile processes. Whether the airflow is vertical or horizontal, the goal is to keep contaminants away. 

For pharmaceutical labs, that means safer compounding, formulation, and filling operations. In biotech facilities, it protects cell cultures, vaccines, tissue samples, and gene therapy research that can be incredibly sensitive to environmental exposure. Anyone who has worked in that environment knows that contamination incidents can be expensive, sometimes fatal. 

Regulations are Getting Stricter For the Right Reasons

Over the years, compliance standards have never got more relaxed. If anything, regulators keep tightening expectations around sterile manufacturing. Regulatory bodies like the WHO, FDA, EMA, and USP all place heavy emphasis on controlled aseptic environments. 

Laminar flow systems are already a standard requirement in many sterile operations because they help maintain ISO Class 5 conditions that reduce contamination risks during handling. That’s not just paperwork for auditors. Failed inspections, product recalls, and shutdowns can burn through money fast. Faster than most managers expect.

The Upgrade Actually Pays Off

The funny thing is, people often focus only on the upfront cost of upgrading equipment. But older hood systems quietly drain money every single year through energy use, maintenance headaches, and downtime. 

Modern laminar fume hoods are much smarter than older models. Many now come with energy-efficient EC motors, airflow monitoring systems, quieter operation, and automated filter testing. Some labs report energy savings close to 30%, which adds up pretty quickly in facilities running nonstop. 

Why Future-Ready Labs Are Upgrading Now

Here’s the thing. Biotech research is moving fast, and there’s no sign of it slowing down anytime soon. Cell therapies, biologics, personalized medicine, regenerative treatments… all of these depend on tightly controlled clean environments. Reliable engineering controls aren’t some optional luxury anymore. They’re part of staying competitive.

Upgrading laminar fume hoods helps labs prepare for stricter regulations while lowering the risk of contamination problems that can derail months of work. And what’s wild is that a single contamination event can wipe out far more money than the cost of an upgrade. In other words, prevention usually ends up being the cheaper choice.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading laminar fume hoods might seem expensive at first glance, but compared to failed clinical batches, compliance penalties, or delayed research timelines, it’s honestly a pretty reasonable investment. Labs that stay proactive now usually avoid much bigger headaches later.

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These workstations create controlled environments where clean, filtered air moves smoothly across the work surface. The steady airflow pushes contaminants away from sensitive components, allowing technicians to work without worrying about microscopic debris settling onto critical parts. 

• Protecting Sensitive Components from Contamination

Modern electronics contain components measured in microns. Semiconductor wafers, microprocessors, and circuit boards all feature extremely fine structures where even minimal contamination can cause defects. Common particles such as dust from clothing, fibers from packaging, or paper debris can interfere with production processes.

Laminar flow workstations help reduce this risk by passing air through high-efficiency filters before it enters the workspace. The filtered air moves in a consistent direction, usually horizontal or vertical, sweeping particles away from the work surface instead of allowing them to settle. 

As a result, technicians can assemble or inspect components in a cleaner environment without requiring a full cleanroom for every step of production. For many stages in electronics manufacturing, that level of protection is exactly what is needed.

• Supporting Precision Assembly Work

Electronics manufacturing frequently involves detailed manual tasks. Placing microcomponents onto circuit boards, handling delicate semiconductor wafers, and inspecting tiny solder joints all require concentration and stable working conditions. Airborne contaminants can disrupt these activities. 

By maintaining a consistent airflow and reducing particle levels, laminar flow workstations create a more controlled environment for technicians. The workspace remains stable and predictable, which is essential for precision assembly. 

While the improvement might not always be visible immediately, cleaner work environments often lead to fewer defects and improved product quality over time. 

• Improving Reliability During Inspection and Testing

Inspection and testing stages are also sensitive to contamination. Technicians analyzing microchips or circuit boards must clearly observe every component. Dust particles can hide defects, interfere with testing equipment, or introduce static issues during delicate measurements. 

With laminar flow workstations, the steady airflow helps keep the inspection area clean throughout the process. Components remain clearly visible, equipment stays protected, and technicians can perform evaluations with greater confidence. 

This reliability is especially important when the components being tested may eventually power medical devices, telecommunications systems, or advanced computing technologies. Cleanrooms offer extremely controlled environments, but they also require significant investment. Construction, maintenance, and strict operational procedures can make them impractical for certain tasks or production stages.

Conclusion

By creating localized clean environments within larger facilities, laminar flow workstations allow technicians to perform sensitive work without converting the entire area into a cleanroom. Companies gain contamination control exactly where it is needed while maintaining operational efficiency.

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Vertical Laminar Flow Workstation – Model LF-102P-ISO-01. Provides a Positive Pressured Clean Air Environment to help protect your valuable or contaminent-sensitive products and packaging.

In simpler words, the hood makes sure your sensitive processes, be it compounding drugs or assembling electronics, stay free from dust, particles and microbial intruders. 

Straight-Down Airflow

A vertical laminar flow hood works on a simple yet brilliant principle – air moves vertically from the top of the unit down toward the work surface. Before reaching your workspace, the air passes through a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This filter snags particles as tiny as 0.3 microns, which is smaller than many bacteria. 

What comes out is a smooth, clean air curtain that pushes contaminants away from your work materials. It is like having an invisible shield hovering above your bench. 

Unlike some other airflow systems, the vertical setup ensures that any dust or microbe floating near the hood gets pushed down and away rather than swirling around. This constant motion reduces the chance of contamination sneaking into your samples. It may sound simple, but in sterile environments, simplicity often wins. 

ISO 5 Made Easy

The term ISO 5 might sound like a cryptic code. However, in cleanroom terms, it simply refers to an area where particle counts are extremely low, at just 3,520 particles per cubic meter for particles sized 0.5 microns or larger. Vertical laminar flow hoods hit this target consistently because of their controlled downward airflow and high-quality filters. 

Operators don’t have to wrestle with complicated machinery to maintain ISO 5 levels. As long as the hood is running correctly, the clean zone remains stable. Items on the work surface don’t get in each other’s way air-wise because the flow moves straight down. It’s like a well-organised crowd where everyone knows to keep moving in one direction. 

Protecting Products and Not the User

One thing that often confuses newcomers is that vertical laminar flow hoods protect the product, not the person. Air is pulled from the top and pushed downward, meaning any contaminants from the operator’s hands or tools are carried away from the work area. Unlike biological safety cabinets that shield the user from harmful microbes, vertical laminar flow hoods focus on keeping what you’re working on clean. 

So if you’re mixing compounds, handling sterile solutions, or assembling tiny electronic circuits, the hood ensures that nothing unwanted lands where it shouldn’t. Think of it as a sneeze guard for the microscopic world.

Placement and Practice Matter

Even the fanciest vertical laminar flow hood won’t work like magic if it’s in the wrong spot or used incorrectly. Airflow can be disrupted by doors opening, people walking past, or clutter on the workbench. The best results come from placing the hood in a low-traffic area and keeping the workspace tidy. Every item should be arranged to let air flow over it smoothly, or else the ISO 5 environment gets compromised. 

Regular maintenance matters too. HEPA filters must be checked and replaced according to schedule, and surfaces should be cleaned with appropriate disinfectants. The hood itself doesn’t get tired, but a neglected filter or messy workspace can undo all that careful engineering. 

Conclusion

Vertical laminar flow hoods may look like simple boxes with lights on top, but inside, they create a bubble of almost surgical cleanliness. By pushing HEPA-filtered air downward in a steady stream, they carve out an ISO 5 work zone where products stay pristine and contamination risks drop sharply. 

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RDM Laboratory Furniture

A laminar airflow hood ensures that air flows in a single, consistent direction. The airflow is uniform, particle-free, and filtered through HEPA or ULPA filters. This steady stream of clean air minimizes contamination risks and keeps the workspace compliant with strict environmental control protocols. It maintains controlled, consistent conditions that meet audit expectations.

Precision in Airflow, Precision in Compliance

Controlling air quality is one of the most important but most critical factors in achieving compliance. Laminar flow hoods aren’t flashy, but they provide consistent, directional airflow that meets high standards for cleanroom classification. That level of control helps maintain air purity at a level that satisfies even the most demanding inspection teams. 

Pharmaceuticals: Where There Is Zero Room for Error

Take pharmaceutical production. Errors and contamination are costly as well as potentially dangerous. Regulatory bodies like the FDA, WHO, and EMA aren’t lenient. With a laminar hood in place, critical operations such as aseptic filling or microbiological testing happen in a space that keeps airborne particulates from ruining a batch. That’s not a bonus feature but the minimum acceptable standard. 

Biotech and Lab Environments

Biotech and life sciences aren’t any more forgiving. Culturing cells or handling genetic material requires sterile conditions at all times. A laminar hood doesn’t provide a magical force field, but it does create a highly controlled work zone that complies with biosafety protocols. There’s no time for ambiguity when gene sequences or pathogens are involved. 

Cleanroom Manufacturing

Cleanroom assembly lines, such as those found in industries like aerospace and semiconductor fabrication, also rely heavily on these hoods. A single speck of dust can throw off an entire microchip design or compromise an optical sensor. When a laminar hood is part of the equipment setup, it actively supports particulate control standards outlined in ISO Class 5 or better cleanroom classifications. 

Passing Audits Without Breaking a Sweat

Inspections are given in regulated sectors. Internal audits, third-party assessments, and surprise visits are all part of the deal. With a proper laminar hood in place, facilities can show measurable air quality benchmarks and particulate counts that align with regulatory requirements. That kind of documentation doesn’t just tick a box, as it prevents shutdowns and fines. 

Protecting the People behind the Process

Also worth considering are laminar hoods that can contribute to worker safety. In labs that handle biohazards or potent compounds, maintaining a contaminant-free zone reduces direct exposure. While PPE is still required, the hood adds an extra layer of control. 

Conclusion

It is easy to underestimate how much difference a filtered stream of air can make. But in environments where audits are frequent, penalties are steep, and tolerances are razor thin, a laminar airflow hood isn’t optional. It’s an active participant in staying within the boundaries of industry-specific regulations.

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OVERSTOCK 48″ Full-Coverage Laminar Flow Workstation. 53″W x 30″D x 86H

Laminar Flow Hood

If you’re working on something that must stay super clean, such as cell cultures, electronics, or sensitive pharma work, laminar flow hoods are ideal. They not only protect you, they protect your work. 

Laminar flow hoods pull air through a HEPA filter, pushing it in a smooth, particle-free flow across your workplace. It’s like a clean air waterfall washing over your project. They protect your work from dust, and germs. 

There are two main types: 

• Horizontal Laminar Flow Hoods: Air flows from the back of the hood toward the user.
• Vertical Laminar Flow Hoods: Air flows from the top down to the work surface.

Note that air is pushed out towards you. This means that the hood isn’t safe for handling toxic chemicals. 

Fume Hood 

If you’re working with nasty fumes, volatile chemicals, or materials that could be toxic if inhaled, the fume hood will be ideal. Its main job is to protect the user. A fume hood captures dangerous vapors and pulls them away from your breathing zone. It then filters or exhausts them outside the buildin,g, depending on the design. 

Fume hoods typically have a sash you can open or close, acting as a barrier between you and the chemical chaos inside. 

Applications of Flow Hoods and Fume Hoods

It has become apparent now that flow hoods and fume hoods serve different purposes across industries. Laminar flow hoods are ideal in laboratories, cleanrooms, and electronics assembly, where a sterile, particle-free environment is critical. They protect sensitive products from contamination. 

Fume hoods, on the other hand, are used in chemical labs, pharmaceutical settings, and academic institutions to protect users from harmful vapors, fumes, and dust. They provide ventilation and ensure safety when handling hazardous substances. Both are essential for maintaining safety and integrity in controlled environments across the science and manufacturing fields.

Which One Do You Need?

It depends entirely on what your process requires. 

• If you require a sterile or clean environment for the product, like microbiology, electronics or medical research, then use a laminar flow hood. 
• Use a fume hood when you’re working with toxic substances or anything that gives off dangerous vapors.

Never use a laminar flow hood for hazardous materials. Doing so could blow those vapors right into your face. Similarly, using a fume hood for sterile work is like sterilizing a needle with a flamethrower. 

Conclusion

Laminar flow hoods and fume hoods might look similar, but their jobs couldn’t be more different. One protects your work from the environment; the other protects you from your work. Knowing which one to use and using it correctly can mean the difference between clean results and a dangerous lab mishap.

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Neglecting this can compromise the sterile environment, leading to potential contamination and inaccurate results. Below are key signs to look for to determine whether your laminar air flow hood is cleaned and maintained properly. 

Consistent Airflow Velocity and Pattern

The primary function of a laminar airflow hood is to provide consistent and uniform airflow across the work surface. Any airflow disruption can lead to contamination by allowing unfiltered air to enter the sterile environment. Regular maintenance should include checking the airflow velocity and pattern using an anemometer or similar device. 

Signs of Proper Maintenance: 

• Uniform airflow: The air should flow evenly across the entire surface without any dead spots or turbulence. 
• Correct velocity: The airflow should meet the manufacturer’s specifications, typically between 0.3 and 0.5 meters per second. 
• No obstructions: Ensure that the airflow is not obstructed by objects on the work surface or within the hood. 

If the airflow is consistent and meets the required specifications, it is a good sign that the hood is maintained properly. If not, it may indicate that the HEPA filters are clogged or the fan system requires servicing. 

HEPA Filter Integrity and Replacement Schedule

The HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is the heart of the laminar air flow hood, responsible for removing 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns in size. A compromised HEPA filter will fail to provide the necessary level of cleanliness, leading to contamination risks. 

Signs of Proper Maintenance:

• Regular filter checks: The HEPA filter should be inspected at regular intervals for any signs of damage, such as tears, punctures, or discoloration. 
• Scheduled replacements: Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for replacing the HEPA filter, typically every three years, depending on usage and environmental conditions. 
• Filter Integrity Testing: Perform a DOP (dispersed oil particle) or PAO (polyalphaolefin) test to ensure the filter’s integrity. This should be done at least annually. 

If the HEPA filter is intact and regularly replaced according to the schedule, it indicates that the laminar air flow hood is being maintained correctly.

Clean and sterile work surface

The work surface of the laminar air flow hood must be kept clean and sterile to prevent contamination of samples and equipment. Proper cleaning procedures should be followed daily, using appropriate disinfectants and techniques. 

Signs of Proper Maintenance

• Visible cleanliness: The work surface should be free from dust, debris, and stains. There should be no visible signs of contamination. 
• Proper cleaning routine: A documented cleaning routine should be in place, specifying the type of disinfectant used, frequency of cleaning, and the technique employed. 
• Sterility checks: Perform periodic sterility tests, such as swab tests or settle plates, to ensure that the work surface remains free from microbial contamination. 

A visibly clean and sterile work surface, along with regular sterility checks, indicates that the laminar air flow hood is being cleaned and maintained properly. 

Conclusion

Maintaining a laminar air flow hood is crucial for ensuring a sterile environment in laboratories and cleanrooms. These practices not only safeguard your samples and equipment but also protect personnel and ensure the accuracy of your laboratory work. To get the best options, always go to reputed and certified manufacturers only. 

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A horizontal laminar flow hood provides a controlled environment by directing HEPA-filtered air horizontally across the work surface, preventing contamination from entering the workspace. These hoods are thus commonly used in labs, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities where a sterile environment is essential. 

Surface Cleaning

At the start and end of each workday, clean the work surface with a suitable disinfectant. Use lint-free wipes to avoid introducing particulates. Do not use harsh chemicals that can damage the stainless-steel surface. Go for approved cleaning agents recommended by the manufacturer. 

Checking Airflow

Ensure the hood’s airflow indicator lights are functioning correctly. These lights indicate if the airflow is within acceptable parameters or not. Regularly check for any obstructions that might impede airflow, such as equipment or supplies placed too close to the filter. 

Inspecting Pre-Filters

Inspect pre-filters weekly for dust and debris. Clean them if they are washable, or replace them as needed. Clogged pre-filters can reduce airflow efficiency and strain the HEPA filter. 

Examine seals and gaskets.

Examine the seals and gaskets for any signs of wear or damage. Damaged seals can compromise the integrity of the sterile environment. Replace any faulty seals you find promptly. 

HEPA Filter Integrity Test

Conduct a monthly aerosol challenge test to ensure the HEPA filter is functioning properly. This involves introducing an aerosolized substance and measuring its penetration through the filter. Monitor the pressure drop across the HEPA filter. A significant increase in pressure drop indicates a clogged or compromised filter that may need replacement. 

Fan and motor inspection

Inspect the fan and motor assembly for any signs of wear. Lubricate bearings if necessary to ensure smooth operation. Listen for any unusual noises from the fan or motor, which may indicate mechanical issues that require attention. 

Professional Calibration

Hire certified technicians to perform a semi-annual calibration of the airflow velocity. This ensures the hood is providing the correct laminar flow rate as specified by the manufacturer. Depending on usage and test results, the HEPA filter may need replacement every six months to a year. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for replacement intervals. 

Comprehensive Cleaning of Internal Components

Perform a thorough cleaning of internal components, including the plenum and fan assembly. This helps maintain optimal airflow and prevents the accumulation of contaminants. 

Full System Certification

Engage a third-party certification service to conduct a comprehensive inspection and validation of the hood. This includes testing airflow patterns. Filter integrity and overall system performance. Maintain detailed records of all inspections, maintenance, and certifications. This documentation is crucial for regulatory compliance and tracking the equipment’s performance over time. 

User Training

Ensure all users are trained on the proper handling and operation of the horizontal laminar flow hood. Misuse or improper techniques can compromise the sterile environment and lead to contamination. Educate users on emergency procedures in case of a power failure or equipment malfunction. Quick and appropriate responses can mitigate risks and prevent damage. 

Conclusion

By adhering to these best practices, you can ensure that your horizontal laminar flow hood operates at peak efficiency, providing a reliable and sterile environment for your critical work. Regular maintenance not only enhances the longevity of the equipment but also safeguards the health and safety of all personnel involved.

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The Use of Laminar Flow Hoods in Industries

A laminar flow hood, also known as a clean bench, is designed to provide a sterile environment by directing filtered air in a unidirectional flow across the work surface. This type of hood is commonly used in microbiology, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and any field where contamination control is crucial. Laminar flow hoods come in two configurations: horizontal and vertical. 

• Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood: Air is filtered through a HEPA filter and flows horizontally across the work surface toward the user. Typically used for applications that require a large, open workspace. 
• Vertical Laminar Flow Hood: Air is filtered through a HEPA filter and flows downward onto the work surface. Offers additional protection to the user by directing potentially contaminated air away from them. 

What is a fume hood?

A fume hood, also known as a chemical hood, is designed to protect lab personnel from hazardous fumes, vapors, and dust by capturing and exhausting them out of the lab. Fume hoods are equipped with a powerful ventilation system that draws air away from the work surface, expels it through a duct system to the outside, or filters it before recirculation. 

• Ducted Fume Hoods: Air is drawn from the lab, passes through the hood, and is expelled outside the building. Ideal for handling highly hazardous substances that require removal from the lab environment. 
• Ductless Fume Hoods: Air is drawn through a series of filters and recirculated back into the laboratory. Suitable for less hazardous substances and locations where ducting to the outside is impractical. 

Now, let us look at the primary differences between laminar flow hoods and fume hoods. 

• Purpose: Laminar flow hoods are primarily designed to protect the work product from contamination by providing a clean and sterile environment. Fume hoods are designed to protect the user and the lab environment from hazardous fumes, vapor, and particulates. 
• Airflow Direction: Laminar flow hoods provide unidirectional airflow across the work surface to maintain sterility. Fume hoods, on the other hand, use a powerful ventilation system to draw air away from the work surface and expel it outside or filter it. 
• Applications: Used in applications that require a contamination-free environment, such as tissue culture work, media preparation, and electronics assembly. 
• Protection: It protects the work product from contamination but does not provide protection to the user from hazardous substances. 

Choosing the Right Hood for Your Needs

When deciding between a laminar flow hood and a fume hood, consider the specific needs of your application:

• If contamination control is critical, choose a laminar flow hood. These hoods are essential for applications where a sterile environment is required to protect sensitive samples and prevent contamination.
• If user safety is a priority, choose a fume hood. These hoods are crucial for handling hazardous chemicals, providing essential protection to the user, and ensuring harmful substances are safely removed from the laboratory environment.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between a laminar flow hood and a fume hood is essential for maintaining a safe and effective laboratory environment. Each type of hood serves a distinct purpose, and selecting the right one depends on the specific needs of your application.

The post Laminar Flow Hood vs. Fume Hood: Understanding the Differences appeared first on RDM Industrial Products.

Of course, we also know that benches and workstations are the bread-and-butter of every laboratory. They are the central thing that makes it hum along. But for certain high-precision tasks, an ordinary workbench just won’t cut it.

That’s where laminar air flow hoods and clean air workstations come in.

These are special workstations that are enclosed by special cabinets. Each made partially of metal and partially of transparent material like glass or acrylic. One side of the enclosure, however, is generally either left totally open or at least provides workers with the option to create an opening. Thus, in a laminar flow bench, everything is done within the confines of an enclosure.

The true importance of this fact, however, only comes out once you realize what the central component of the enclosure is: a high-precision air filter like a HEPA or an ULPA filter. Thus, a laminar flow bench is meant to create a work environment whose air is utterly cleansed of all, or very nearly all, particulates and contaminants. It creates an ideal space for work with extremely sensitive materials.

RDM Horizontal Clean Air Workstation – Model LFH-102PE-6-01

But this description only scratches the surface of what these devices can really do and what they are meant for. For more than four decades, RDM Industrial Products has manufactured factory-direct and industrial-quality lab equipment of all sorts. Laminar flow hoods are among are among our proudest offerings. Here, we’re going to tell you more about what laminar flow hoods are. We’ll share what they do, and how they work. As well as the most important types that exist and why your lab truly needs them.

What Do Laminar Flow Hoods & Clean Air Workstations Do?

Before we delve into the specifics. Like the kinds of laminar flow hoods RDM can manufacture and the particular things they can do for you. Let us provide a general overview to help set the stage.

As mentioned, laminar flow benches are encased and use high-powered air filters to remove particulates from the surrounding air. But the filters don’t just take in, clean and release back air in a haphazard way. They do it very specifically, generating what’s know as a laminar flow. This means that air currents which are absorbed by the air filter and those which are released by it all flow parallel to one another so as not to disturb each other.

Without this kind of action, the filter would never be able to reliably purify air. If a filtered air current were to disturb an as yet unfiltered air current, contaminants from the latter would likely find their way into the former, thus nullifying the filter’s work. Laminar flow also creates a very serene air flow environment in the workbench enclosure that it free from major disturbances.

Thus, clean air workstations are ideal places to work with very sensitive materials which cannot tolerate contamination or disturbance.

Types of Laminar Flow Hoods

Laminar flow HEPA workstations fall into two broad categories based on the direction in which they send air flowing:

• Vertical Laminar Flow Hoods:

  Vertical laminar flow hoods take in air flow the top of the unit and then release it back down after filtering it. Thus, air flows vertically and downward. These models tend to be relatively compact and easy to install and use. In fact, the filters and enclosures from such units can be attached to many different kinds of lab workbenches.

• Horizontal Laminar Flow Hoods:

  Horizontal laminar flow hoods take in air from the back of their enclosure and send it flowing out horizontally toward the front. That is, toward where the researchers happens to be working. To make this process work as intended requires air flows in these units to much even more delicate than those in vertical laminar flow hoods. Thus, horizontal models have greater physical depth, sensitivity and complexity to their designs. The most high-end air filters also usually work best on horizontal models.

Other Important Features of Clean Air Workstations

Beyond this, RDM’s laminar flow workstations have many other features that help make them into extraordinary assets to your laboratory. We also give you the power to customize certain features to your liking. Here are some of these important additional features:

• Filters:

  You already know that air filters are the centre piece of each and every laminar flow hood. But all filters are not the same. Each hood comes equipped with an air filter that can at least meet HEPA standards. These HEPA — or, High-Efficiency Particulate Air — filters are able to filter out 99.99% of all particles from the surrounding air. Particles which are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger. If this does not meet your standards, you can outfit your work station with an ULPA — or, Ultra-Low Particulate Air — filter. These filters remove 99.999% of all particles from the surrounding air which are 0.12 microns in diameter or larger.

• Work Surfaces and Side Panels:

  If you plan to work with lasers, we can make the work station’s side panels out of black acrylic for you. We can also add in a front draft guide to help better control air flow and even make it static-resistant. As for the workstation surface, we can laminate it with plastic or coat it with other materials for you if you so desire.

• Noise Levels:

  Units produce only about 50 decibels of noise. This is about as loud as the hum of a standard refrigerator or a conversation going on at some distance from you.

• Lighting:

  All units come with industrial-quality LED lighting fixtures inside the workbench enclosure.

You can find a list of other important features of clean air workstations , as well as a detailed filter classification scheme,  here.

Conclusion

Laminar flow HEPA workstations aren’t just vacuously complicated and fancy pieces of equipment that lab managers can use to show off. Not only are they essential to do doing extremely delicate work, but they have allowed us to make enormous strides in lab safety whenever certain kinds dangerous substances become involved.

But as with any other important tool, laminar air flow hoods and clean air workstations contain a significant amount of variation between them. Before selecting one for your lab, we strongly recommend acquainting yourself with their uses and features in greater detail, which you can do by going  here. RDM has great latitude in its ability to customize laminar air flow hoods for you. So once you’ve settled on what you want, your unit(s) will be proudly manufactured in the USA and will come directly from the factory.

We look forward to helping you bring your lab up to the next level.

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