OK Walk-in Environmental Test Chamber OK-STH-13m²

Overview

The OK Walk-in Environmental Test Chamber OK-STH-13m² is an industrial-grade, modular climate simulation system engineered for full-system and large-scale environmental reliability validation. Unlike benchtop or upright chambers, this walk-in chamber provides a fully accessible 13 m³ internal test volume (3000 × 2000 × 2000 mm), enabling direct human entry for sample loading, instrumentation setup, real-time monitoring, and in-situ diagnostics of complex assemblies. It operates on the principle of forced-air convection combined with precision-controlled refrigeration and heating cycles—utilizing dual-stage cascade compression for sub-zero performance down to −70°C and high-power resistive heating for rapid thermal ramping up to +150°C. Its structural design conforms to ISO 16750-4 (road vehicles), MIL-STD-810H (environmental engineering considerations), and IEC 60068-2 series standards for environmental testing of electrotechnical products. The chamber serves as a foundational infrastructure platform for qualification-level testing where physical scale, thermal mass, and operational complexity preclude use of compact enclosures.

Key Features

• Modular structural steel frame with bolted PU-core sandwich panels (150 mm thickness), offering thermal resistance (R-value) > 4.5 m²·K/W and long-term dimensional stability under cyclic thermal stress
• Reinforced walk-in door with triple-seal gasketing, electrically heated anti-fog viewing window (600 × 400 mm), emergency egress release, and interlocked power cutoff
• Dual-stage cascade refrigeration system with independent high- and low-temperature circuits—optimized for stable operation at −70°C without liquid nitrogen dependency
• High-volume air circulation system: twin centrifugal blowers (total airflow ≥ 45,000 m³/h) with turbulence-reducing duct geometry and adjustable vane diffusers ensuring ±3°C uniformity per IEC 60068-3-5
• Programmable PLC-based controller with 10.4″ color touchscreen, 100-segment ramp-soak profiles, real-time deviation logging, and configurable alarm thresholds (over-temp, under-temp, door open, sensor fault)
• Integrated test port array (6 × Φ100 mm, sealed with silicone grommets) for power, signal, and data feedthroughs—compliant with IP54 ingress protection when closed
• Comprehensive safety architecture: redundant temperature limiters, compressor high-pressure cutouts, phase failure detection, and ground-fault circuit interruption (GFCI)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-STH-13m² accommodates physically integrated test articles—including complete electric vehicles (EVs), battery energy storage systems (BESS) up to 2 MWh capacity, avionics racks, telecom base station cabinets, and aerospace subsystems requiring simultaneous thermal and functional verification. Its internal clearances support cable harness routing, thermocouple placement per ASTM E220, and optical access for IR thermography. The chamber meets mechanical and thermal requirements outlined in ISO 16750-4 Annex B (temperature cycling), USCAR-2 (automotive component durability), and UL 1973 (energy storage systems). All control firmware supports audit-ready event logging aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic records and signatures—enabling GLP/GMP-compliant validation protocols in regulated manufacturing environments.

Software & Data Management

Control software includes native Ethernet (TCP/IP) and RS-485 interfaces for integration into plant-wide SCADA or MES platforms. Data acquisition supports up to 32 user-configurable analog/digital channels (e.g., chamber ambient, DUT surface, coolant inlet/outlet) sampled at 1 Hz resolution with timestamped CSV export. Historical trend analysis, deviation heatmaps, and automated report generation (PDF/Excel) are available via optional OK-EnviroSuite™ software package. Remote supervision is enabled through secure HTTPS web interface with role-based access control (admin/operator/viewer), TLS 1.2 encryption, and session timeout enforcement—fully compliant with NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 AC-17 and IA-5 controls.

Applications

• Automotive: Whole-vehicle cold-start validation at −40°C; HVAC thermal load balancing; battery pack thermal runaway propagation studies under dynamic drive cycles
• Aerospace: Ground-based thermal vacuum pre-test conditioning of satellite payloads; environmental soak testing of UAV airframes prior to flight certification
• Energy Storage: Calendar and cycle life assessment of lithium-ion BESS modules under accelerated temperature-humidity profiles per IEEE 1679.2
• Data Center Infrastructure: Thermal stress screening of 48U server racks under simulated hot-aisle/cold-aisle airflow patterns
• Industrial Electronics: HALT/HASS screening of power converters, inverters, and grid-tied controllers across extended temperature gradients
• Materials Science: Batch aging of polymer composites, adhesives, and elastomers under controlled thermal oxidation conditions (ASTM D573)

FAQ

What is the standard lead time for factory acceptance testing (FAT) and commissioning?
Typical FAT duration is 10 working days following mechanical completion; on-site commissioning—including installation verification, thermal mapping (per ISO 16750-4 Clause 6.3), and operator training—requires 5–7 days depending on site readiness.

Can the chamber be upgraded to include humidity control?
Yes. Optional humidification (up to 95% RH at +85°C) and dehumidification modules are available as field-installable kits, converting the system into a walk-in thermal-hygro chamber compliant with IEC 60068-2-30.

Is external cooling water required for the refrigeration system?
No. The standard configuration uses air-cooled condensers. Water-cooled variants are available upon request for facilities with centralized chilled water infrastructure (supply: 12–18°C, flow rate ≥ 12 m³/h).

How is temperature uniformity validated across the working volume?
Pre-delivery thermal mapping is performed using 16 calibrated PT100 sensors arranged in a 4×2×2 grid per IEC 60068-3-5, with results documented in the final validation report.

Does the system support custom safety interlocks for integration with DUT power supplies?
Yes. Dry-contact relay outputs (250 VAC/2 A) and isolated digital inputs are provided for hardwired interlocking with external safety PLCs or emergency stop circuits.