How Comet's new cleanroom supports the growing demand for X-ray tubes
November 12, 2026
Quality is at the heart of every Comet product. To support growing demand, expand manufacturing capabilities, and maintain the high standards our customers expect, we invested in a new cleanroom facility at our headquarter in Flamatt, Switzerland. Commissioned in late 2025 and fully optimized throughout 2026, the facility provides the foundation for continued growth while helping ensure the reliability and performance of future generations of X-ray tubes.
Why a new cleanroom?
Over the past several years, Comet's X-ray Modules division has experienced significant growth. The introduction of innovative products for semiconductor inspection, such as FYNE, and inspection of electronics and batteries, such as Xplorer, not only required new technologies and equipment but also led to the creation of additional functions and the expansion of the team.
As production volumes, technologies, and personnel continued to grow, the available cleanroom space increasingly became a limiting factor. At the same time, increasing quality requirements called for even tighter control of the manufacturing environment. To maintain manufacturing excellence and support future growth, Comet made the decision to invest in a modern ISO Class 7 cleanroom, providing significantly improved control of airborne particles and contamination than the previous, non-classified cleanroom. This cleaner environment helps reduce the risk of defects, supports vacuum integrity, and contributes to the long-term reliability and performance of Comet's X-ray tubes. The facility was designed to meet both current and future manufacturing requirements.
The new cleanroom at a glance
- 840m2 production area (previously 430m2)
- Advanced manufacturing environment with ISO Class 7 classification
- Completed without production interruption
- 23 workstations (previously 13)
«We aim to deliver a consistently high level of quality. As demand grows, investing in the right manufacturing environment is essential to maintaining the standards our customers expect.»
Ilona Sieben
VP Global Supply Chain & Operations
A seamless transition
The construction of the new cleanroom represents one of Comet's most significant investments in its manufacturing capacity in Flamatt in recent years. Despite the scale and complexity of the undertaking, the transition was completed without interrupting production or customer deliveries.
From project approval through commissioning, equipment and operations were relocated step by step from the existing facility into the new environment. Careful planning and close coordination across multiple teams ensured a smooth transition while maintaining workplace safety and operational continuity.
The project brought together experts from the Production, Facility Management, Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, and Plant Construction teams, as well as numerous external partners and specialists.
«We planned the transition hour by hour, allowing us to complete the move without interrupting production.»
Beat Wälti
Production Manager IXM and Project Manager Cleanroom
Project milestones
2022
Project decision and kick-off
2023-2024
Concept, design phase, and planning
2025
Implementation, relocation of equipment and inauguration
2026
Financial closing, optimization and stabilization of operations
Why cleanrooms matter
All assembly processes for Comet's sealed X-ray tubes take place in a cleanroom environment, right up to high-vacuum brazing and welding.
Maintaining exceptionally low particle levels is critical to product quality. Even microscopic contamination can affect vacuum integrity and increase the risk of electrical discharges inside the tube. By minimizing particle contamination throughout the manufacturing process, the cleanroom helps ensure reliable performance and long service life.
A clean manufacturing environment also reduces the risk of residues remaining inside the tube, which could compromise the vacuum and lead to arcing during operation.
For customers, this translates directly into improved reliability, longer product lifetimes, and consistently high product quality.
Benefits for customers and employees
The new facility was designed with both product quality and employee experience in mind:
- For customers, the ISO Class 7 cleanroom provides an advanced manufacturing environment that supports the long-term quality, performance, and reliability of Comet's X-ray tubes.
- For employees, the facility offers a more spacious and modern workplace. Team members were involved throughout the project, and their feedback helped shape the final design. New equipment simplifies daily work processes, while the layout provides improved working conditions. One notable feature is the placement of all workstations along the window front, bringing natural daylight into the workplace and creating an environment that can positively influence well-being, motivation, and collaboration.
Looking ahead
The new cleanroom is a long-term investment in quality, operational excellence, and future growth.
By expanding manufacturing capabilities while maintaining the highest quality standards, Comet has created a foundation that supports both continued innovation and increasing customer demand. At the same time, the project demonstrates the company's commitment to delivering reliable products, creating a modern workplace, and continuously investing in manufacturing excellence.
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