OK OK-STH-8.8.0m² Walk-in Environmental Test Chamber

Overview

The OK OK-STH-8.8.0m² Walk-in Environmental Test Chamber is a fully engineered, modular climate-controlled enclosure designed for long-duration, high-fidelity environmental simulation across industrial R&D, quality assurance, and production validation workflows. Unlike benchtop or reach-in chambers, this system operates on the principles of forced-air convection with multi-zone air distribution, precision PID-based cascade control, and integrated thermal-hygrometric load compensation—enabling stable, repeatable maintenance of specified temperature and humidity setpoints within a volumetric workspace of 8.0 m³ (2.0 m × 2.0 m × 2.0 m internal dimensions). Its architecture addresses the fundamental thermodynamic challenges inherent in large-volume environmental testing: spatial uniformity under dynamic thermal loads, transient response to door openings or equipment insertion, and sustained energy-efficient operation over continuous 7×24-hour cycles. The chamber complies with core requirements of IEC 60068-3-5 (environmental test methods — part 3-5: guidance for temperature and humidity tests), GB/T 2423.1–2022 (Environmental testing — Part 2: Test methods — Tests A: Cold), and GB/T 2423.2–2022 (Tests B: Dry heat), serving as a foundational infrastructure for reliability qualification per MIL-STD-810H, GJB 150A, and ISO 16750-4.

Key Features

• Modular polyurethane insulated panel construction (150 mm thickness, λ ≤ 0.022 W/m·K) with flame-retardant core (B1 grade per GB 8624), seamless tongue-and-groove joints, and stainless-steel reinforced frame for structural integrity and thermal continuity.
• Dual independent air handling units (AHUs) with backward-curved EC fans, variable-frequency drive (VFD) control, and perforated ceiling diffusers—engineered to deliver laminar, low-turbulence airflow with <±3°C temperature uniformity across all nine designated test points (per IEC 60068-3-5 Annex B).
• Multi-stage refrigeration system configured for selected temperature range (e.g., −70°C option employs cascade dual-compressor design with R23/R404A refrigerants; −20°C variant uses single-stage R404A), coupled with electric heating banks and steam-based humidification (industrial-grade stainless-steel steam generator, 3–6 kg/h output).
• Intelligent hybrid control architecture integrating feedforward disturbance compensation (based on door-open duration, load thermal mass estimation, and ambient drift) with real-time feedback from 12 distributed Pt100 sensors (6 for temperature, 6 for relative humidity), enabling ±1°C temperature and ±3% RH humidity control accuracy under steady-state conditions.
• Full-featured 10.1″ touchscreen HMI with embedded web server, supporting remote monitoring via HTTPS, data export in CSV/Excel format, alarm history logging (10,000+ entries), and configurable user access levels aligned with GLP audit trail requirements.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

This chamber accommodates large-format test articles—including EV battery modules (up to 1,200 kg), telecom base station cabinets, aerospace avionics enclosures, and pharmaceutical cold-chain validation payloads. Structural floor loading capacity exceeds 1,500 kg/m², with optional anti-static or conductive flooring available upon request. Humidity control remains effective across load conditions involving up to 5 kW of internal convective heat dissipation and 200 g/h moisture generation (e.g., from operating electronics or hygroscopic materials). All electrical components meet IP54 ingress protection, and safety interlocks conform to EN 61000-6-2/6-4 for electromagnetic compatibility. System documentation includes factory calibration certificates traceable to CNAS-accredited standards, and full compliance verification reports are provided prior to FAT (Factory Acceptance Test).

Software & Data Management

The embedded OK-ClimateControl™ firmware supports continuous data acquisition at 1-second intervals, with local storage (32 GB SSD) retaining ≥18 months of time-stamped temperature/humidity logs. Data export is compatible with LIMS integration via Modbus TCP or OPC UA protocols. Audit trail functionality records operator login/logout events, parameter modifications, manual overrides, and alarm acknowledgments—with immutable timestamps and user ID attribution, satisfying FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic record requirements when deployed in regulated environments. Optional cloud gateway enables secure TLS 1.2–encrypted telemetry to private AWS or Azure instances for centralized fleet monitoring and predictive maintenance analytics.

Applications

• Automotive electronics: Accelerated life testing of ADAS ECUs, infotainment systems, and powertrain controllers under combined thermal cycling and humidity soak per ISO 16750-4.
• Energy storage: Thermal runaway propagation studies and calendar-life evaluation of lithium-ion battery packs at elevated temperatures and high RH.
• Pharmaceutical logistics: Validation of warehouse and transport container performance for GDP-compliant cold chain storage (2–8°C or 15–25°C with ±2°C tolerance).
• Defense & aerospace: Environmental screening of radar subsystems and UAV ground support equipment per MIL-STD-810H Method 502.7 (temperature) and Method 507.6 (humidity).
• Materials science: Long-term aging of polymer composites, adhesives, and coating systems under controlled hygrothermal stress to quantify degradation kinetics.

FAQ

What is the standard warranty coverage for the OK-STH-8.8.0m² chamber?
Standard warranty is 24 months from commissioning date, covering parts and labor for all factory-installed components—including refrigeration compressors, humidity generators, control hardware, and structural panels. Extended service agreements (ESA) with annual preventive maintenance visits are available.
Can the chamber be upgraded to support faster cooling rates or tighter uniformity specifications?
Yes—custom engineering options include enhanced refrigeration capacity (e.g., parallel compressor staging), additional sensor arrays for zone-specific control, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-validated airflow retrofit kits to achieve ±1.5°C uniformity upon site-specific validation.
Is installation and commissioning included in the quoted price?
The base quotation covers ex-works delivery, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and comprehensive technical documentation. On-site installation, leveling, utility connection (3-phase 380 VAC ±10%, 50 Hz, dedicated grounding), and SAT (Site Acceptance Test) are offered as separate line items with detailed scope-of-work definitions.
How does the system handle frequent personnel access during extended tests?
The control algorithm incorporates adaptive recovery logic triggered by magnetic door-switch status and infrared occupancy sensing. Typical temperature recovery to ±1°C after a 30-second door opening event is achieved within 90–150 seconds, depending on selected temperature range and ambient conditions.
Are third-party calibration services supported post-installation?
Yes—the chamber’s sensor network is designed for traceable recalibration using NIST-traceable reference probes. OK Instruments maintains partnerships with accredited metrology labs across Asia-Pacific and provides coordination support for ISO/IEC 17025-compliant field calibration services.