OK-STH Walk-in Environmental Test Chamber (13 m³ Volume)

Overview

The OK-STH Walk-in Environmental Test Chamber is a fully engineered, factory-integrated climate simulation system designed for long-duration, high-reliability environmental stress testing of large-scale components, assemblies, and production batches. Built on a robust structural platform with double-wall insulated construction, it employs a dual-refrigeration cascade system (for models rated ≤ −40°C) or single-stage vapor-compression cycle (for 0°C and −20°C variants), coupled with precision PID-controlled electric heating and steam-based humidification. Its operational principle centers on active air circulation via centrifugal fans with adjustable airflow distribution, ensuring thermal and hygroscopic homogeneity across the entire test volume—critical for compliance with ISO 16750-4, IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2, and GB/T 2423.1–2022 standards. Unlike benchtop chambers, the OK-STH series supports operator entry during operation (with safety interlocks), enabling real-time instrumentation access, manual intervention, and in-situ monitoring—making it indispensable for automotive ECU validation, battery module thermal cycling, aerospace avionics burn-in, and pharmaceutical stability storage qualification.

Key Features

• Modular structural design with 100 mm thick polyurethane-insulated panels (thermal conductivity ≤ 0.022 W/m·K), stainless steel interior (SUS304), and galvanized steel exterior
• Intelligent dual-loop control architecture: independent temperature and humidity regulation using platinum RTD (Pt100) sensors and capacitive humidity transducers
• Compressor-driven refrigeration system featuring Copeland or Danfoss scroll compressors (model-dependent), R404A/R23 refrigerant blends, and electronic expansion valves for dynamic load adaptation
• Programmable controller with 10.4″ color touchscreen HMI, onboard data logging (≥ 100,000 records), USB export, and Ethernet connectivity for remote supervision
• Integrated safety systems: over-temperature/over-humidity cut-off, door safety switch, refrigerant leak detection, and emergency power-off circuit
• Optional accessories include: multi-point temperature/humidity mapping probes (calibration-certified), CO₂ monitoring interface, RS-485 Modbus RTU output, and GLP-compliant audit trail firmware (upgradeable)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-STH-13 accommodates heterogeneous test loads—including EV battery packs (up to 1.8 m tall × 1.2 m wide), server racks, medical imaging subsystems, and full-size automotive instrument clusters—without compromising chamber uniformity. Internal airflow is validated per ASTM E145 Annex A3 using 9-point sensor mapping at three vertical levels. The chamber meets Class II requirements of IEC 60068-3-5 for temperature stabilization time and complies with MIL-STD-810H Method 502.7 for low-temperature operational testing. Humidity control spans 20–98% RH (non-condensing), with recovery time < 60 min after door opening (per ISO 16750-4 Clause 6.3.2). All electrical components conform to CE marking directives (2014/30/EU EMC, 2014/35/EU LVD), and wiring follows UL 508A industrial control panel standards. Factory calibration certificates traceable to NIM (China National Institute of Metrology) are provided with each unit.

Software & Data Management

The embedded OK-ClimateControl™ software enables creation of multi-segment temperature-humidity profiles (up to 999 steps), real-time graphing of up to 16 channels, and automated report generation in PDF/CSV formats. For regulated environments, optional 21 CFR Part 11-compliant firmware adds user role-based access control, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails—including timestamped parameter changes, alarm events, and manual overrides. Data integrity is preserved via cyclic redundancy check (CRC)-protected internal flash memory and automatic backup to external NAS or cloud platforms via secure TLS 1.2 API endpoints. Integration with LabVantage, TrackWise, or Siemens Opcenter Quality is supported through configurable OPC UA servers (add-on license required).

Applications

• Automotive: ECUs, ADAS sensors, and infotainment systems under ISO 16750-4 extended temperature cycling (-40°C to +85°C)
• Energy Storage: Lithium-ion battery module formation, calendar life assessment, and thermal runaway propagation studies
• Electronics Manufacturing: Burn-in of telecom base station hardware, server chassis, and industrial PLCs per JEDEC JESD22-A108
• Pharmaceuticals: Accelerated stability testing of primary packaging (blister packs, vials) aligned with ICH Q1A(R2)
• Aerospace: Ground support equipment conditioning and avionics box qualification per DO-160G Section 4 & 5
• Academic Research: Controlled-environment aging of composite materials, polymer degradation kinetics, and corrosion acceleration protocols

FAQ

What is the standard lead time for an OK-STH-13 chamber with custom dimensions?
Standard delivery is 8–10 weeks from PO confirmation; lead time extends by 2–3 weeks for non-standard insulation thicknesses, explosion-proof configurations, or integrated vibration tables.

Can the chamber be validated per IQ/OQ protocols?
Yes—OK Instruments provides GMP-aligned Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) documentation packages, including sensor calibration certificates, airflow verification reports, and temperature/humidity mapping templates compliant with EU Annex 15 and FDA guidance.

Is remote monitoring supported out-of-the-box?
Basic web-based monitoring (real-time values, alarms, trend charts) is included via built-in HTTP server; secure cloud telemetry and SMS alerts require optional OK-Link™ gateway module.

What maintenance intervals are recommended for sustained performance?
Compressor oil and filter replacement every 12 months; condenser coil cleaning quarterly; annual recalibration of all critical sensors by accredited third-party labs (recommended but not mandatory).

Does the chamber support humidity ramping during temperature transitions?
Yes—the controller executes synchronized T/RH ramps with programmable rate limits (e.g., 1°C/min + 2% RH/min), preventing condensation during cooldown phases per IEC 60068-2-30 test method Db.