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How to design the EFU box structure? Strength, sealing, air inlet and outlet and maintenance points

Number of views: 2386     Author: Aili Industry Release time: 2026-09-24 Source: Ai Li Industrial

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How to design the EFU box structure? Strength, sealing, air inlet and outlet and maintenance points

Direct answer: The structural design of the EFU box should be advanced in the order of 'strength → sealing → air inlet and outlet → maintenance'. The strength determines the stability of the box under the operating and installation conditions of the fan; the sealing determines whether there is air leakage between the filter and the box, and the box and the installation surface; the air inlet and outlet method determines the airflow path and interface form; the maintenance design determines whether filter replacement and fan maintenance are feasible. After confirming the four items, determine the box size and material based on the equipment installation space.

The EFU box is not just a shell, it also assumes the functions of structural support, airflow organization, sealing and interface. The following will start from four aspects: strength, sealing, air inlet and outlet, and maintenance.

1. Key points of strength design

The EFU box will withstand fan vibration, filter pressing force, installation stress and handling stress during operation. The strength design needs to be confirmed:

  1. Material selection : Commonly used materials include cold-rolled steel plates, galvanized steel plates, aluminum alloys, SUS304, SUS316, etc. Different materials have different strength and corrosion resistance;

  2. Plate thickness : Plate thickness affects the rigidity and weight of the box and needs to be confirmed based on the size and installation method;

  3. Reinforced structure : Large-sized boxes usually require reinforcing ribs or hemming to reduce deformation and vibration;

  4. Fan installation surface : The fan installation location needs to be partially strengthened to avoid fatigue caused by long-term vibration;

  5. Filter compression structure : The filter compression force needs to be borne by the box structure to avoid local deformation;

  6. Installation fixed points : The installation holes and brackets need to be able to withstand the weight of the entire machine and operating vibration.

For ultra-thin or large-sized cabinets, the balance between strength and weight needs to be confirmed based on the equipment installation conditions.

2. Key points of seal design

Sealing is directly related to the filtration effect and wind speed distribution of the EFU. The sealing parts that need attention include:

Sealing part

Design points

Filter and box

Sealing strip material, compression amount, and flatness of the fitting surface

Box and mounting surface

Whether on-site sealing is required and the sealing method

Box seams

Welding, sealants or weather strips

Electrical interface

Sealing treatment of cable outlets

Maintenance hatch

Does it affect the overall sealing performance?

Seal design needs to pay attention to:

  1. The compression amount of the sealing strip must be reasonable. If it is too small, air leakage may occur, and if it is too large, it may affect the installation of the filter;

  2. The fitting surface should be flat to avoid local gaps;

  3. Whether the sealing performance is stable after repeated disassembly and assembly needs to be confirmed based on maintenance methods;

  4. For high-grade filters such as U15 and U16, the sealing requirements are higher. It is recommended to conduct leak detection and confirmation after the whole machine is assembled.

For equipment that requires frequent filter replacement, please refer toSnap-on EFU filter fixing and sealing structure.

3. Design of air inlet and outlet methods

The air inlet and outlet methods determine the airflow path and interface form. Common choices include:

Air inlet and outlet methods

Applicable scenarios

Air in from top, air out from bottom

Conventional installation, direct airflow path

Side air inlet, bottom air outlet

Devices with limited head space

Top air inlet, side air outlet

The air outlet direction requires sideways equipment

Air in from bottom, air out from top

Special installation conditions

The air inlet and outlet design needs to be confirmed:

  1. Whether the position of the air inlet is blocked by mechanical structures, pipes or cables;

  2. Whether the air inlet area is sufficient to avoid excessive local wind speed;

  3. Whether the air outlet surface is aligned with the target clean area;

  4. Whether the air inlet and outlet paths are smooth to avoid airflow short circuit;

  5. Whether flanges, protective nets or air duct interfaces are required for the air inlet and outlet.

For devices with limited head space, please refer toSmall size EFU equipment fan filter unit and70mm ultra-thin EFU .Structural solution for

4. Main points of maintenance design

EFU needs to regularly replace filters, check fans and electrical connections, and the maintenance design needs to confirm:

  1. How to replace the filter : from the top, bottom or side, whether other parts need to be disassembled;

  2. Inspection space : Whether enough operating space is left inside the equipment;

  3. Fixing method : screws, buckles, slide rails or brackets, whether it is easy to disassemble and assemble;

  4. Electrical interface : Whether the location of the wiring terminals is convenient for maintenance;

  5. Identification : Whether the air inlet and outlet directions, wiring definitions and maintenance instructions are clear;

  6. Safety : Whether it is necessary to cut off the power during maintenance and whether there are protective measures.

The maintenance design should be confirmed simultaneously during the equipment structure design stage to avoid maintenance difficulties caused by insufficient space in the later stage.

5. Box material and surface treatment

The box material and surface treatment need to be confirmed based on the use environment:

Material

Features

Applicable scenarios

cold rolled steel plate

Good strength, moderate cost

General equipment internal applications

galvanized steel plate

Good corrosion resistance

General industrial environment

Aluminum alloy

Light weight and easy to process

Equipment with weight requirements

SUS304

Corrosion resistant and easy to clean

Applications with high requirements on cleanliness and hygiene

SUS316

More corrosion resistant

Corrosive environment or special process

Surface treatment methods include spraying, baking paint, powder coating and stainless steel surface treatment, etc., which can be selected according to the equipment environment.

6. Information required for box structure design

It is recommended to provide: when communicating with the project:

  1. Equipment installation space, including length, width and height;

  2. Inlet and outlet air direction and interface requirements;

  3. Filter specifications and replacement methods;

  4. Installation methods and fixing requirements;

  5. Use environment, including temperature, humidity and corrosiveness;

  6. cleaning and disinfection requirements;

  7. noise and vibration requirements;

  8. Maintenance space and inspection methods.

7. Aili Industrial EFU box supporting capabilities

Aili Industry has the following supporting conditions in terms of EFU box structure:

  • Self-produced sheet metal : It has sheet metal processing capabilities and can manufacture boxes through processes such as laser cutting, CNC bending, welding and surface treatment;

  • Structural design : The box structure design can be carried out according to the equipment installation size;

  • Sealing package : The sealing scheme can be designed according to the filter structure and replacement method;

  • Whole machine verification : conduct air volume, wind speed, resistance and operation tests before leaving the factory;

  • Customization capabilities : The cabinet, air inlet and outlet methods, and installation structure can be customized according to the equipment space.

For more product information, please refer toEquipment-side fan filter unit (EFU)、Custom EFU andSnap-on EFU。

FAQ

What materials are commonly used for EFU cabinets?

Commonly used materials include cold-rolled steel plates, galvanized steel plates, aluminum alloys, SUS304 and SUS316. The specific materials need to be confirmed based on the use environment and strength requirements.

What should we pay attention to when sealing the EFU box?

It is necessary to pay attention to the filter and box, box and mounting surface, joints and electrical interfaces, and confirm whether the sealing performance is stable after repeated disassembly and assembly.

How to choose the air inlet and outlet method of EFU?

Depends on the equipment installation space and air outlet direction requirements. When the top space is limited, side air intake can be considered, and the specific details need to be confirmed based on the equipment structure.

How to replace EFU filter?

The replacement method depends on the box structure and can be replaced from the top, bottom or side. The specific needs to be confirmed in the design stage based on the equipment maintenance space.

Does the EFU box need structural reinforcement?

Large-sized or ultra-thin cabinets usually require reinforcing ribs or folded edges to reduce deformation and vibration. The details need to be confirmed based on the size and installation method.

Can the EFU box be made of stainless steel?

Can. SUS304, SUS316 and other stainless steel boxes can be configured according to project requirements, and are suitable for environments with high requirements for cleanliness and corrosion resistance.

What are the surface treatments for EFU cabinets?

Common methods include spraying, baking paint, powder coating and stainless steel surface treatment, etc., which can be selected according to the equipment environment.

How to confirm the maintenance space of EFU box?

The operating space required for filter replacement and fan maintenance needs to be confirmed, and it is recommended to confirm this simultaneously during the equipment structure design stage.

The content of this article is for reference only, please confirm with the actual project. The materials, plate thickness, sealing methods and structural parameters mentioned in this article may vary depending on product models, project conditions and actual working conditions. For specific EFU solutions, please refer to the actual confirmed product technical documents, drawings and test results.

Aili Industrial develops and manufactures FFU, EFU, HEPA/ULPA air filters, high-efficiency air supply vents, fan boxes and other clean air equipment. Relying on motors, fans, control systems, filters and complete machine supporting capabilities, we provide selection and customization support for clean room and production equipment projects.

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