OK Instruments OK-ZTH-512.13 Combined Temperature, Humidity and Vibration Test System

Overview

The OK Instruments OK-ZTH-512.13 Combined Temperature, Humidity and Vibration Test System is an engineered platform for accelerated reliability assessment under multi-stress environmental conditions. It integrates climatic simulation—precisely controlled temperature and relative humidity—with synchronized mechanical excitation via electrodynamic vibration. The system operates on the principle of combined stress testing (CST), where thermal, hygric, and dynamic mechanical loads are applied concurrently or sequentially in accordance with defined test profiles. This approach replicates real-world operational, transport, and storage environments—such as high-altitude low-temperature vibration, desert thermal cycling under dry heat, marine salt-laden humid vibration, or cold-start shock during automotive ECU operation. Unlike sequential single-stress tests, the OK-ZTH-512.13 enables true coupling of environmental and mechanical domains, thereby accelerating latent failure mechanisms including solder joint fatigue, polymer creep, condensation-induced short circuits, and interface delamination.

Key Features

• Triple-domain integration: Simultaneous control of temperature (−70 °C to +150 °C), humidity (20–98 %RH within 20–85 °C), and vibration (compatible with external electrodynamic shakers up to 100 kN peak force)
• High-fidelity thermal dynamics: Programmable ramp rates of 5, 10, or 15 °C/min with temperature stability ≤ ±0.5 °C across working volume
• Dynamic feedthrough design: Hermetic vibration feedthrough assembly with low-thermal-conductance elastomeric seals, enabling ±50 mm peak-to-peak displacement without compromising chamber integrity
• Dual-cooling architecture: Independent water-cooled shaker thermal management system prevents shaker-generated heat (up to 350 W load) from perturbing chamber temperature uniformity
• Modular controller interface: IEEE-488 (GPIB), Ethernet TCP/IP, and analog I/O ports support third-party vibration controllers (e.g., Data Physics, Vibration Research) and real-time synchronization via TTL trigger or timecode alignment
• Comprehensive safety interlock suite: Over-temperature cut-off, vibration over-acceleration shutdown, door-open emergency halt, ground-fault interruption, and refrigerant pressure monitoring

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-ZTH-512.13 accommodates test specimens up to 15 kg mounted on standard aluminum mass blocks, with provisions for custom fixture integration. Internal chamber dimensions (L × W × H) support typical aerospace avionics enclosures, automotive ECUs, battery modules, and PCB assemblies. All operational modes comply with test method requirements specified in MIL-STD-810H Method 520.5 (Combined Environments), IEC 60068-2-68 (Combined Temperature/Humidity/Vibration), ISO 16750-4 (Road vehicles – Environmental conditions for electrical and electronic equipment), and RTCA DO-160G Section 25 (Vibration and Temperature). The system supports GLP-compliant audit trails when paired with validated data acquisition software, and its control firmware adheres to IEC 61508 functional safety principles for critical test infrastructure.

Software & Data Management

Control is executed via OK Instruments’ proprietary CST-Studio™ software, a Windows-based application supporting multi-axis profile definition, real-time parameter overlay (temperature/humidity/vibration spectra), and synchronized data logging at up to 10 kHz sample rate. Users define coupled test sequences using graphical timeline editors—e.g., initiating random vibration at −40 °C while ramping to +85 °C at 10 °C/min. Raw sensor data (chamber thermocouples, RH sensors, accelerometer outputs, shaker armature position) are timestamped to microsecond resolution and stored in HDF5 format for traceability. Export options include CSV, MATLAB .mat, and NI DIAdem-compatible files. Optional FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance packages provide electronic signatures, role-based access control, and immutable audit logs for regulated industries.

Applications

• Aerospace: Qualification of flight-critical electronics, satellite power converters, and inertial measurement units under thermal-vacuum–vibration hybrids (with optional vacuum port upgrade)
• Automotive: Validation of ADAS sensors, traction inverters, and 48V battery management systems per ISO 16750-4 and LV-124
• Defense electronics: MIL-STD-810H-compliant testing of handheld radios, radar front-ends, and guided munition fuzing circuits
• Energy storage: Cycle-life evaluation of EV battery packs under simultaneous thermal gradient and road-spectrum vibration
• Industrial IoT: Stress screening of edge computing nodes deployed in offshore wind farms or desert solar installations

FAQ

Does the OK-ZTH-512.13 include an integrated vibration shaker?
No—the system provides a vibration-ready chamber with feedthrough interface and cooling provisions; users select and integrate compatible electrodynamic or servo-hydraulic shakers based on required force, frequency range, and stroke.
Can the system perform humidity cycling while vibrating?
Yes—humidity control remains active during vibration operation, with real-time compensation for latent heat effects from condensation/evaporation cycles.
What is the maximum allowable specimen self-heating during test?
The chamber is rated for 350 W steady-state internal heat load; higher dissipation requires external thermal management or derated temperature extremes.
Is remote monitoring and control supported?
Yes—via secure HTTPS web interface and RESTful API for integration into enterprise MES or PLM platforms.
How is calibration traceability maintained?
Temperature and humidity sensors are NIST-traceable; annual verification kits and certified calibration reports are available through OK Instruments’ accredited metrology service.