IRM IL260 Plant Growth Chamber
| Brand | IRM |
|---|---|
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Product Category | Domestic |
| Model | IL260 |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
| Light Distribution Method | Shelf-Integrated Illumination |
| Light Source | High-Efficiency LED Arrays |
| Spectral Range | Visible Spectrum (380–780 nm) |
| Temperature Control Range | 0–80 °C (with/without illumination) |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±0.2 °C (at 25 °C, empty chamber, steady state) |
| Illuminance Range | 0–25,000 lux (adjustable in 10-lux increments) |
| Internal Volume | 305 L |
| External Dimensions (W×D×H) | 780 × 790 × 1600 mm |
Overview
The IRM IL260 Plant Growth Chamber is a precision-engineered environmental control system designed for reproducible, long-term plant phenotyping, seed germination studies, photobiology experiments, and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) research. It operates on a dual-mode thermal management architecture—combining high-efficiency refrigeration (R134a or R22), PID-controlled resistive heating, and intelligent humidity regulation—to maintain stable setpoints across the full operational range (0–80 °C). Unlike conventional incubators, the IL260 integrates shelf-level LED illumination with spectral fidelity across the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) band (380–780 nm), enabling quantitative light–response studies under fully programmable photoperiods and intensity gradients. Its forced-air convection system ensures ≤±0.2 °C temperature uniformity at critical setpoints (e.g., 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C), validated per ISO 17025-compliant internal calibration protocols. The chamber supports continuous frost-free operation above 20 °C—a critical requirement for multi-week growth assays—and features automatic water replenishment to sustain consistent humidity profiles without manual intervention.
Key Features
- IRM “HACC” (High-Accuracy Climate Control) technology: Integrated thermal-hygric feedback loop with real-time sensor fusion (PT100 temperature sensors + capacitive humidity sensors) for sub-0.1 °C setpoint resolution and <±0.2 °C stability.
- Shelf-integrated LED illumination system: Uniformly distributed, spectrally stable white-light arrays mounted directly beneath each adjustable shelf; no external light towers or reflective losses.
- 7-inch industrial-grade capacitive touchscreen HMI: Supports three-tier user permission levels (Operator / Supervisor / Administrator), audit-trail-enabled event logging, and full traceability of all parameter changes per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.
- Comprehensive safety architecture: Independent overtemperature cut-off (dual-stage mechanical thermostat), earth-leakage circuit breaker (ELCB), compressor high-pressure/overheat protection, condenser fan thermal monitoring, door-open alarm, power-failure recovery with auto-resume, and liquid-level sensing for anti-overflow and dry-run prevention.
- Modular utility access: Two 50-mm-diameter pass-through ports (left/right side walls) fitted with silicone grommets for sensor cables, gas lines, or data conduits—compatible with external CO₂ controllers, O₂ analyzers, or root-zone moisture probes.
- Mobility & serviceability: Heavy-duty locking casters (load rating ≥150 kg per wheel), front-accessible service panels, and tool-free shelf reconfiguration (standard: 2 shelves; max: 20 shelves).
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The IL260 accommodates standard botanical growth vessels—including Petri dishes (90–150 mm), Magenta boxes, multi-well plates (6–96-well), hydroponic trays (up to 600 × 400 mm footprint), and potted plants (max height: 1,000 mm). Its interior chamber (640 × 450 × 1060 mm W×D×H) permits vertical stacking of up to 20 adjustable stainless-steel shelves (50 mm pitch). All wetted components—including water reservoir (20 L capacity), humidifier chamber, and condensate tray—are constructed from electropolished 316L stainless steel and comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility standards. The system meets IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity) and IEC 61000-6-4 (emissions) electromagnetic compatibility requirements. Full documentation packages—including Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) reports, IQ/OQ templates, and GMP-aligned validation support files—are provided for pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and academic GLP/GMP environments.
Software & Data Management
The embedded controller firmware supports continuous data acquisition at 1-second intervals for temperature, relative humidity, illuminance, and system status flags. All logged data—including operator actions, alarm triggers, and mode transitions—are time-stamped with UTC synchronization and stored in encrypted CSV format on internal flash memory (≥12 months retention). Data export is performed via USB 2.0 port using plug-and-play U-disk devices (FAT32 formatted); no proprietary software installation required. Optional RS485 Modbus RTU interface enables integration into centralized building management systems (BMS) or LIMS platforms. For regulated users, optional 21 CFR Part 11 compliance package includes electronic signature workflows, role-based audit trails, and immutable record archiving—validated per ASTM E2500 and Annex 11 guidelines.
Applications
- Controlled-environment plant physiology: Circadian rhythm analysis, photomorphogenesis studies, stress response profiling (drought, heat, cold, high-light), and genotype-by-environment interaction (G×E) screening.
- Seed science & germination testing: ISTA-compliant germination trials under standardized light/dark cycles and temperature ramping protocols (e.g., alternating 20/30 °C).
- Microbial culture under photoactive conditions: Cyanobacteria, algae (Chlorella, Spirulina), and light-dependent fungal strains requiring precise PAR dosing.
- Pharmaceutical stability testing: ICH Q1B photostability studies (Option: add UV-A filter kit for Q5-compliant irradiance profiles).
- Academic teaching labs: Modular curriculum integration for undergraduate botany, ecology, and biotechnology courses with preloaded SOP templates.
FAQ
Does the IL260 support custom spectral tuning (e.g., red/blue ratio adjustment)?
No—the standard configuration delivers full-spectrum white light optimized for broad PAR coverage. Custom narrowband LED modules (e.g., 660 nm red + 450 nm blue) are available as factory-installed options upon request.
Can the chamber operate continuously at 5 °C with illumination?
Yes. The refrigeration system is rated for sustained operation down to 0 °C ambient-equivalent load; illumination does not compromise low-temperature performance due to thermally isolated LED drivers.
Is remote monitoring supported out-of-the-box?
Not natively—but the RS485 Modbus interface allows third-party SCADA integration. IRM provides protocol documentation and register mapping for seamless interoperability.
What is the maximum allowable load weight per shelf?
Each stainless-steel shelf supports up to 25 kg uniformly distributed load, verified per EN 1093-1 mechanical stress testing.
How frequently must the water reservoir be refilled during continuous humidification?
At 70% RH and 25 °C, the 20 L tank sustains ~72 hours of uninterrupted operation; automatic top-up eliminates manual intervention in unattended multi-day runs.
