OK KS-TH-800 Rapid Temperature Change Chamber (RTCC)

Overview

The OK KS-TH-800 Rapid Temperature Change Chamber (RTCC) is an engineered environmental stress screening (ESS) system designed for accelerated thermal cycling qualification of electronic components, automotive modules, aerospace subsystems, and industrial control hardware. It operates on the principle of controlled, high-rate thermal transients—inducing cyclic mechanical strain via coefficient-of-thermal-expansion (CTE) mismatch between dissimilar materials—to precipitate latent defects such as solder joint microcracks, die attach delamination, conformal coating adhesion loss, and intermetallic growth anomalies. Unlike standard thermal chambers, the KS-TH-800 delivers precisely regulated ramp rates up to 25 °C/min across a full operational range of −70 °C to +150 °C, enabling compliance with rigorous military, automotive (AEC-Q200), and IEC 60068-2-14 test protocols. Its dual-stage cascade refrigeration architecture—using zero-ozone-depletion-potential (ODP) HFC-507 and R23 refrigerants—ensures stable low-temperature hold performance while maintaining long-term compressor reliability under repeated thermal shock loads.

Key Features

• High-fidelity 7-inch color LCD touchscreen controller with real-time graphical display of setpoint, actual temperature/humidity curves, and elapsed cycle time; supports seamless switching between English and Chinese UI languages.
• 96 independent programmable test profiles, each supporting multi-segment ramp-soak cycles, user-defined dwell durations (up to 999 hours 59 minutes), and repeat counts (1–999 cycles).
• Integrated PLC-based safety logic with hardware-enforced interlocks: compressor high-pressure cutout, phase-loss detection, door-open thermal abort, overtemperature override, ground-fault interruption, and audible/visual alarm escalation.
• Optimized airflow design featuring rear-mounted centrifugal fans and perforated stainless-steel baffles ensures ±2 °C temperature uniformity and ±3.0 %RH humidity uniformity (≥75 %RH) throughout the 100 L working volume (100 × 100 × 80 cm).
• Left-side 50 mm diameter feedthrough port (with silicone gasket and clamping collar) enables real-time monitoring of DUT electrical parameters during thermal transients without compromising chamber integrity.
• Full compliance with ISO/IEC 17025-aligned calibration traceability pathways; optional NIST-traceable temperature/humidity sensor certification available upon request.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The KS-TH-800 accommodates samples up to 40 kg gross mass and dimensions ≤90 × 90 × 70 cm—suitable for ECUs, PCB assemblies, battery packs, sensors, and small enclosures. Its structural integrity and thermal response fidelity meet requirements for qualification testing per MIL-STD-810H Method 503.5 (Temperature Shock), IEC 60068-2-14 (Change of Temperature), AEC-Q200 Rev D (Stress Test Qualification for Passive Components), and JEDEC JESD22-A104F (Temperature Cycling). All internal surfaces are fabricated from electropolished SUS#304 stainless steel to resist corrosion in humid environments and facilitate cleaning under cleanroom-compatible protocols. The chamber’s electrical grounding system conforms to IEC 61000-6-2 (Immunity) and IEC 61000-6-4 (Emission) standards.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller logs timestamped temperature and humidity data at user-selectable intervals (1–60 seconds), storing up to 10,000 hours of continuous history internally. Data export is supported via USB 2.0 to CSV or Excel-compatible formats for post-test statistical analysis (e.g., Cp/Cpk, Weibull life modeling). Optional Ethernet connectivity enables remote monitoring through Modbus TCP or HTTP API interfaces—compatible with LabVIEW, MATLAB, and enterprise MES/QMS platforms. Audit trails include operator ID, profile name, start/stop timestamps, deviation alerts, and safety event logs—fully compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with OK’s optional electronic signature module and role-based access control firmware.

Applications

• Accelerated life testing (ALT) of power electronics subjected to engine-bay thermal gradients.
• Qualification of avionics line-replaceable units (LRUs) per DO-160 Section 4 (Temperature Variation).
• Screening of medical device PCBAs prior to ISO 13485 manufacturing release.
• Validation of adhesive bond strength in MEMS packaging under extreme thermal cycling.
• Reliability assessment of lithium-ion battery modules per UN 38.3 thermal shock subtest.
• Process capability studies for reflow soldering yield optimization using thermal margin analysis.

FAQ

What is the minimum achievable ramp rate, and can it be maintained across the full temperature range?
The KS-TH-800 supports ramp rates from 5 °C/min to 25 °C/min in both heating and cooling directions. Sustained 15 °C/min performance is guaranteed between −45 °C and +85 °C; rates above 20 °C/min are validated within −20 °C to +85 °C.
Does the chamber support humidity control during rapid thermal transitions?
Yes—humidity is actively controlled during ramp phases using PID-regulated steam injection and desiccant-assisted dehumidification. However, RH stability ±2.5 % is specified only during soak conditions; transient RH deviation may occur during ramping and is documented in the test report.
Is third-party calibration and IQ/OQ documentation available?
OK Instruments provides factory calibration certificates (traceable to CNAS-accredited labs) and optional on-site Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) services conducted by certified metrologists.
Can the controller interface with external data acquisition systems?
Yes—the RS-485 serial port and optional Ethernet interface support Modbus RTU/TCP protocol for integration into SCADA, MES, or custom Python-based test orchestration frameworks.
What refrigerant is used, and does it comply with current EU F-Gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014?
The system uses HFC-507 (R507A) and R23 in its cascade circuit—both classified as F-gases but permitted under Annex I of Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 for laboratory equipment with leak rates <10 g/year. Full refrigerant charge data and leak test records are supplied with each unit.