Labotery HWS-350A Precision Temperature and Humidity Controlled Incubator

Overview

The Labotery HWS-350A Precision Temperature and Humidity Controlled Incubator is an engineered environmental simulation platform designed for long-term, stable operation under tightly regulated thermal and hygroscopic conditions. It employs a dual-loop PID control architecture—separately governing refrigeration, heating, and humidification subsystems—to maintain precise setpoints across its full operational envelope (0–60 °C; 30–95 %RH). The chamber utilizes a forced-air convection system with infinitely adjustable airflow velocity, ensuring high spatial uniformity (±1 °C temperature deviation, ±3 %RH humidity deviation) validated per ISO 14644-1 cleanroom testing methodology under no-load conditions at 20 °C/50 %RH ambient. Its structural design integrates seamless, electropolished 304 stainless steel interior walls with radius-rounded corners to eliminate microbial harborage points—meeting core requirements for GLP-compliant cell culture, stability testing per ICH Q1–Q5 guidelines, and accelerated aging protocols in pharmaceutical, biotech, and materials science laboratories.

Key Features

• Patented external wet-steam humidification system delivering rapid, stable RH response without internal water reservoir contamination risks.
• Hermetically sealed, non-CFC compressor (imported) paired with optimized refrigerant circuitry for extended service life and energy-efficient operation.
• Triple-glazed tempered glass inner door with integrated anti-fog heating element—prevents condensation during high-humidity (>80 %RH) or elevated-temperature (>45 °C) operation.
• Microprocessor-based controller with 7-inch backlit LCD touchscreen interface; all parameters—including real-time temperature/humidity curves, program status, and alarm logs—displayed simultaneously.
• Three-tier adjustable shelving system fabricated from solid 304 stainless steel rods; tool-free insertion/removal enables rapid chamber decontamination via autoclaving or vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) treatment.
• Integrated UV-C germicidal lamp (254 nm) and LED task lighting, both independently switchable and timed for scheduled sterilization cycles.
• Self-diagnostic firmware that identifies and displays fault codes (e.g., sensor drift, compressor lockout, humidifier dry-run) on startup and during runtime.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HWS-350A accommodates standard ISO/ANSI-compliant culture vessels—including T-flasks (up to 175 cm²), multi-well plates (6–96-well), Petri dishes, and stability test chambers—without airflow obstruction. Its chamber geometry supports uniform exposure of stacked samples when using optional fan-speed calibration kits. The unit complies with electrical safety standards IEC 61010-1 and EMC directive 2014/30/EU. For regulated environments, optional configurations include 21 CFR Part 11–compliant audit trail logging (via RS485/USB + validated software), GMP-aligned printer output (thermal strip or dot-matrix), and SMS-based remote alarm notification (IEC 62443-3-3 Level 1 certified communication module). Humidity and temperature sensors are NIST-traceable and factory-calibrated against reference standards per ISO/IEC 17025 accredited procedures.

Software & Data Management

Labotery’s proprietary IncuControl Suite (v3.2+) provides secure, role-based access to incubator data streams. It supports continuous acquisition of temperature/humidity values at user-defined intervals (1–600 seconds), automatic generation of PDF reports compliant with Annex 11 and WHO TRS 961 requirements, and graphical overlay of up to four concurrent test runs. Raw data exports as CSV or Excel-compatible .xlsx files with embedded metadata (operator ID, timestamp, calibration certificate IDs). Optional cloud synchronization enables centralized fleet monitoring across multi-site facilities while maintaining local data sovereignty per GDPR and HIPAA technical safeguards. All firmware updates undergo cryptographic signature verification prior to installation.

Applications

• ICH Q1A(R2) long-term and accelerated stability studies of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished dosage forms.
• ISO 11137–validated microbial growth inhibition assays and bioburden recovery testing.
• Textile hygrothermal aging per ASTM D751 and packaging material permeability evaluation (ASTM F1249).
• Cell line expansion and passaging under controlled hypoxia-mimicking conditions (when integrated with optional O₂/N₂ gas mixing module).
• Accelerated corrosion testing of electronic components per IPC-TM-650 2.6.25.
• Seed germination kinetics and plant tissue culture under defined photoperiod–humidity coupling (when paired with optional LED spectrum modules).

FAQ

What is the validation support package available for GxP environments?
Labotery provides IQ/OQ documentation templates aligned with ASTM E2500 and EU GMP Annex 15, including sensor calibration certificates, airflow mapping protocols, and temperature/humidity mapping reports (per ISO 14644-3 Class 5 criteria). Full PQ execution requires site-specific load configuration.
Can the incubator operate continuously for >30 days without maintenance?
Yes—the HWS-350A is rated for uninterrupted operation under nominal load (≤70 % RH, 37 °C) for ≥5000 hours. Scheduled maintenance (filter cleaning, humidifier descaling, sensor verification) is recommended every 6 months per preventive maintenance log.
Is remote monitoring possible without installing third-party software?
Yes. The built-in web server (HTTPS-enabled) allows browser-based access to live readings, historical trends, and alarm history from any network-connected device—no client software required.
How does the anti-condensation door heating function integrate with humidity control?
The door heater operates dynamically: its power output scales inversely with chamber-to-ambient delta-T and directly with RH setpoint, preventing surface dew formation without perturbing internal humidity homogeneity.
Are replacement parts and service manuals available internationally?
All critical spares—including PID controllers, humidity sensors, compressors, and UV lamps—are stocked in Labotery’s EU distribution hub (Rotterdam) and US logistics center (Chicago); technical manuals and firmware are accessible via secure portal with registered account.