Environmental Chambers Resource Directory
Environmental Chamber Menu
Selecting a environmental test or
manufacturing chamber for your requirements can be a
daunting task. Environmental chambers come in all shapes,
sizes, and capabilities. Typical considerations include;
price, capability, size, quality, interface requirements,
ect. As with any expenditure, one must first understand their
test or manufacturing requirements.
Many different types of environmental
chambers are available. Chamber sizes range form very
small bench top chambers to drive-in chambers for large air
or spacecraft. Environmental chambers come with or may be
designed with a full range of environmental conditions.
Extreme temperatures chambers equipped with
refrigeration or heating systems may achieve temperatures as
low as -200 deg. F or with liquid nitrogen may achieve much
lower temperatures. Heating systems may allow a
environmental chamber to reach temperatures as high as +1000
deg. F.
Humidity systems are often combined with
temperature systems to control an environmental chambers to
10% to 100% humidity levels
Altitude environmental chambers are design
to simulate altitudes as high 100,000 feet with humidity and
temperature systems..
Vacuum environmental chambers routinely
achieve 10-8 Torr levels of vacuum and are
typically manufactured with heat sink capabilities for
electronic testing and verification.
Thermal shock chambers are available in any desired
size and configuration. Thermal shock chambers can
produce dramatic changes of temperature of the objects
placed within. Changing the temperature of an object
quickly thermally shocks and produces internal stresses
within the object. Thermal shock techniques are utilized in
commercial, military and space industries to verify the
reliability of a product.
Environmental chamber size is a function of
the object whith will be placed within. This seems
obvious, however object and supporting hardware and chamber
equipment should be understood. For example, if you
are testing an electronic assembly under vacuum and
temperature cycling. Access for the power supply
cables, thermocouples and mounting hardware should be
understood. Does the test technician have access where
required? Recording devices for analysis, verification
and supporting controls will require specification as well.
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