OK OK-TH-408.0 Programmable Temperature and Humidity Environmental Test Chamber

Overview

The OK OK-TH-408.0 Programmable Temperature and Humidity Environmental Test Chamber is an engineered environmental simulation system designed for precise, repeatable, and automated conditioning of materials and components under controlled thermal and hygrothermal stress. Based on forced-air convection with independent dual-loop PID control architecture, the chamber maintains stable setpoints across its full operational envelope by synchronizing refrigeration (air-cooled hermetic compressor), resistive heating, and steam-based humidification subsystems. Its programmable logic controller (PLC) interface—integrated with a high-resolution capacitive touchscreen—enables users to define multi-segment temperature/humidity/time profiles, including ramp-hold cycles, step transitions, and repeated sequences over extended durations. This capability supports standardized environmental stress screening protocols per IEC 60068-2, GB/T 2423, MIL-STD-810, and JEDEC JESD22-A104/A110, making it suitable for reliability validation, accelerated aging, and qualification testing in regulated industrial and academic laboratories.

Key Features

• Robust benchtop architecture with stainless-steel interior chamber (600 × 850 × 800 mm), seamless welds, and insulated double-wall construction for thermal stability and corrosion resistance.
• Independent dual-loop control: Separate PID algorithms govern temperature (±1 °C uniformity at high temp; ±2 °C at low temp) and relative humidity (±3% RH deviation, ±3% RH uniformity) to minimize cross-coupling effects.
• Air-cooled refrigeration system utilizing R404A or R507 refrigerant, configured for continuous operation from –20 °C to +150 °C without cryogenic supplementation.
• Steam-generation humidification with stainless-steel boiler and auto-water-level detection, delivering stable moisture output between 20% and 98% RH.
• Programmable controller supporting up to 120 segments per profile, 999 cycles, and user-defined dwell times, ramps, and transitions—fully compliant with GLP documentation requirements when paired with optional data logging.
• Comprehensive safety suite: Over-temperature cut-off, compressor high-pressure protection, heater dry-run prevention, water shortage alarm, and earth-leakage circuit interruption.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-TH-408.0 accommodates a broad range of sample geometries and thermal masses, provided total volume occupies no more than one-third of the working chamber volume to ensure airflow uniformity and measurement fidelity. It is routinely deployed for evaluating electronic assemblies (PCBs, IC packages), automotive ECUs and sensors, polymer housings, pharmaceutical packaging films, and aerospace composite coupons. The chamber conforms to structural and performance criteria outlined in ISO 16750-4 (road vehicles), IEC 60068-2-1 (cold), -2 (dry heat), -30 (damp heat cyclic), and -78 (condensation), as well as national standards GB/T 2423.1, GB/T 2423.2, and GB/T 2423.3. Optional calibration certificates traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) are available upon request.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller provides local profile editing, real-time trend visualization, and event-triggered alarms. For regulatory compliance and audit readiness, optional PC-based software (OK-EnviroLog v3.x) enables remote monitoring via Ethernet/RS485, time-stamped data export (CSV/Excel), password-protected user roles, and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic signatures and audit trails. All logged parameters—including chamber setpoint, actual temperature/humidity, compressor status, and alarm history—are timestamped with millisecond resolution and stored onboard for ≥30 days. USB export functionality supports offline report generation aligned with internal QA templates or external accreditation bodies (e.g., CNAS, A2LA).

Applications

• Electronics reliability: Thermal cycling of PCBAs per IPC-9701, solder joint fatigue assessment, and moisture sensitivity level (MSL) preconditioning.
• Automotive component validation: Testing infotainment modules, ADAS sensors, and battery management systems under simulated desert, arctic, and monsoon conditions.
• Polymer and elastomer characterization: Monitoring dimensional stability, tensile strength retention, and surface cracking after prolonged exposure to 85 °C/85% RH (THB test).
• Pharmaceutical packaging integrity: Accelerated stability studies of blister packs, sachets, and HDPE containers per ICH Q1A(R2) guidelines.
• Academic research: Controlled environmental exposure in material science (e.g., hydrogel swelling kinetics), microbiology (humidity-dependent fungal growth), and plant physiology (stress response phenotyping).

FAQ

What is the maximum recommended sample volume for optimal airflow uniformity?
For reliable thermal and hygric homogeneity, total sample volume should not exceed 33% of the chamber’s internal volume (0.408 m³). Larger loads require extended equilibration time and may necessitate validation per ISO 17025 clause 5.4.2.
Does the chamber support rapid temperature transition testing?
The standard OK-TH-408.0 achieves 1.0–3.0 °C/min average heating rate; it is not rated for high-speed thermal shock per IEC 60068-2-14. For ramp rates >5 °C/min, consider the OK-RTS series with liquid nitrogen or cascade refrigeration options.
Is third-party calibration included with purchase?
Factory calibration using NIST-traceable reference sensors is performed pre-shipment. Full ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration with uncertainty reporting is available as an add-on service.
Can the chamber be integrated into a lab-wide LIMS or MES platform?
Yes—via Modbus TCP or OPC UA protocol support (optional firmware module), enabling bidirectional communication with enterprise quality systems for automated test initiation, data ingestion, and nonconformance flagging.
What maintenance intervals are recommended to sustain specification compliance?
Monthly cleaning of the humidifier tank and condensate drain line; quarterly inspection of refrigerant charge and sensor drift (recommended annual recalibration); biannual verification of door gasket integrity and airflow velocity distribution per ASTM E145 Annex A3.