What are you actually doing inside?

Start from your process, not from catalog size.

  • Sample type: battery cells, powders, metals, organic synthesis, electronics…
  • Typical tasks: weighing, mixing, assembly, packaging, measurement…
  • Special risks: pyrophoric powders, strong solvents, corrosive gases, highly reactive metals.

This drives almost every design choice.

3. Chamber size & layout

Bigger is not always better. A larger box:

  • Costs more gas to purge
  • Takes longer to reach low ppm
  • Needs a larger purifier

Think in terms of:

  • Number of workstations: single, dual, or more
  • Bench space: tools (crimper, sealer, balance, microscope, hot plate)
  • Line vs. island layout:
    • Straight line (easier to expand)
    • L-shape or U-shape (better ergonomics in tight rooms)

Good rule: design for 80% of your daily use, not the one “extreme” job per year.

4. Gas, ppm targets & purifier

Key decisions:

  • Gas:
    • N₂ for most work (batteries, general R&D)
    • Ar for very reactive metals/organometallics
  • Targets:
    • O₂: typically ≤1–5 ppm
    • H₂O (dew point): typically ≤ −40 °C

Purifier sizing should match:

  • Chamber volume
  • Expected solvent load
  • Planned regen frequency (daily/weekly/monthly)

If you use strong solvents, add cold/charcoal traps to protect the purifier.

5. Antechambers: size, number, and SOP

Think about how you move material:

  • One small antechamber is enough for normal samples and tools
  • Add a large antechamber for jigs, fixtures, and bulk items
  • Design for three-cycle evacuation and pressure equalization before opening the inner door

If transfers are your bottleneck, a good antechamber design gives more benefit than a bigger main chamber.

6. Feedthroughs, pumps & accessories

List everything that must pass through the wall:

  • Electrical: power, signals, heaters, sensors
  • Vacuum: ports for pumps, gauges
  • Gas lines: process gases, purge lines
  • Data: Ethernet, USB, RF, fiber optics (if needed)

Also decide:

  • Pump type: rotary vane, dry diaphragm, oil-free scroll (especially for antechambers)
  • Glove material: butyl, Viton, nitrile, thickness vs dexterity
  • Inside options: shelves, rails, mounting plates

It’s much cheaper to include these in the design than to retrofit later.

7. Safety, monitoring & budget

At minimum, plan for:

  • Stable pressure control (+3–8 mbar) with a relief valve
  • O₂ and dew-point sensors with alarms
  • Safe purifier regeneration (≤5% H₂/N₂ forming gas, proper exhaust, interlocks)
  • Clear SOPs for antechamber, regeneration, leak checks, and emergency shutdown

For budget:

  • Separate “must have” (size, gas, purifier, safety) from “nice to have” (extra windows, fancy HMI, extra viewing ports)
  • Ask suppliers for two or three configurations: basic, standard, and full options

8. Checklist to send to your supplier

You can copy-paste this into an email form:

  • Application / materials:
  • Number of operators:
  • Gas (N₂ / Ar), target O₂ / H₂O:
  • Chamber size (L×W×H) or approx volume:
  • Antechamber: small only / small + large / other:
  • Solvents / special chemicals:
  • Feedthroughs needed (power, vacuum, data, gas):
  • Preferred pump type (if any):
  • Safety features required:
  • Budget range and timeline:

A clear checklist like this helps the manufacturer (like your company) give a correct, optimized quote instead of guessing.

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