Zhongke Aobo HWS-80 Temperature and Humidity Controlled Incubator

Overview

The Zhongke Aobo HWS-80 Temperature and Humidity Controlled Incubator is an engineered environmental simulation system designed for precise, stable maintenance of both temperature and relative humidity within a sealed chamber. It operates on a dual-control principle: thermoelectric heating combined with compressor-based refrigeration ensures dynamic thermal equilibrium, while steam-based humidification—generated via controlled water evaporation—delivers responsive and repeatable moisture regulation. This architecture supports long-duration stability required in life science applications where microenvironmental fidelity directly impacts experimental reproducibility—such as microbial growth kinetics, cell culture preconditioning, accelerated stability testing per ICH Q1 guidelines, and material hygrothermal aging per ASTM D618 and ISO 22088-3.

Key Features

• Stainless steel inner chamber with seamless arc-transitions and tempered glass observation door, enabling optical monitoring without thermal disturbance or condensation interference.
• Intelligent microprocessor-based controller with 30-segment programmable ramp-soak profiles for temperature and humidity, supporting time-scheduled transitions and automatic mode switching between heating, cooling, and humidification cycles.
• Eco-friendly R134a-free compressor system with balanced heating/cooling control logic, minimizing temperature overshoot and achieving ≤ ±0.5 °C uniformity across the working volume (per ISO 15277:2022 test methodology).
• Steam-generation humidification system with integrated auto-refill reservoir and dry-run protection; maintains setpoint accuracy within ±5–8 %RH under steady-state conditions at 25 °C ambient.
• Intelligent defrost algorithm activated only when frost accumulation exceeds threshold, reducing cycle interruption and preserving sample integrity during extended operation.
• Dual-layer magnetic door seal with high-compliance elastomeric gasket ensures ≥ 95 % humidity retention over 24-hour dwell periods (validated per EN 60068-2-78).
• Comprehensive safety architecture including compressor overheat cutoff, sensor fault detection, audible/visual alarm output, and fail-safe power-down on critical parameter deviation.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HWS-80 accommodates standard microbiological vessels—including Petri dishes, multi-well plates, Erlenmeyer flasks, and tissue culture flasks—without airflow obstruction. Its stainless steel interior resists corrosion from repeated exposure to ethanol, hydrogen peroxide vapor, and saline solutions, supporting routine decontamination protocols. The unit complies with electrical safety standards IEC 61010-1 and EMC directive 2014/30/EU. While not certified for GLP/GMP environments out-of-the-box, its programmable logging capability (via optional RS-485 or USB data export) enables traceable audit trails compatible with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated third-party software and access-controlled user accounts.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller logs timestamped temperature and humidity values at user-defined intervals (1–60 min), storing up to 30 days of data internally. Optional accessories extend functionality: an RS-485 interface enables integration into centralized lab monitoring systems (e.g., LabVIEW or SCADA); a USB port permits direct download of CSV-formatted datasets for post-hoc statistical analysis in MATLAB or JMP; and an external thermal printer (sold separately) provides real-time hardcopy records for SOP adherence. All firmware updates are performed via secure USB flash drive—no internet connectivity required—to maintain network isolation in regulated laboratories.

Applications

• Accelerated stability studies of pharmaceutical dosage forms under ICH Q1A(R3) conditions (e.g., 40 °C/75 %RH).
• Controlled hygrothermal aging of polymer films, packaging materials, and electronic encapsulants per ISO 11357 and IPC-TM-650.
• Pre-incubation conditioning of fungal spores and bacterial biofilms prior to antimicrobial susceptibility assays.
• Textile moisture regain testing per AATCC Test Method 20A and ISO 139.
• Food product shelf-life modeling under defined water activity (a_w) conditions derived from RH/temperature correlation curves.
• Environmental stress screening of optical components and MEMS devices subject to thermo-hygrometric cycling.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable ambient temperature for continuous operation?
The unit is rated for ambient temperatures between 15–30 °C. Operation above 30 °C may reduce humidity control precision and increase compressor duty cycle.
Can the incubator operate at 4 °C with humidity enabled?
No. The humidification system is disabled below 10 °C to prevent condensation-induced corrosion and sensor drift. For low-temperature applications, use a dedicated refrigerated incubator without humidification.
Is calibration certificate included with shipment?
A factory calibration report (traceable to NIM, China) is provided. Full ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration requires third-party service and is not bundled.
Does the unit support remote monitoring via Ethernet or Wi-Fi?
No native Ethernet or Wi-Fi interface is built-in. Remote access requires external gateway hardware connected via RS-485 or USB-to-Ethernet bridge.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for optimal performance?
Clean the humidifier tank and steam nozzle every 30 days; inspect door gasket integrity quarterly; verify temperature/humidity sensor drift annually using NIST-traceable reference probes.