Altitude and environmental chambers, most commonly referred to as altitude chambers, allow for a controlled environment for the statistical testing of products. By measuring and constructing the environment, the results of endurance testing become more accurate and the product more marketable.

When working with an altitude test chamber, understanding the key terms associated with altitude testing and altitude chambers allows you to better use the equipment, create tests and communicate results. When learning altitude test chamber key terms, keep in mind the following:

1. Realize that there are a variety of altitude chambers on the market with different names and different components.
2. Know that altitude tests use both climate and statistical terminology.
3. Understand the terms and definitions for the elements of climate utilized in altitude chambers.
   

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Learn the types of altitude and environmental chambers

Altitude chambers perform a variety of tasks, come in a variety of sizes and suit a variety of projects. Learning the terms and label that help you distinguish between a bench top chamber, which tests product endurance, and a hypobaric chamber, which tests human endurance, is key to making good testing equipment choices. By looking at the online catalogs of major chamber producers, you can get an idea of common names for the basic kinds of testing chambers.

I recommend: Cincinnati Sub-Zero Products defines a number of different testing chamber types with detailed definitions of their capabilities. ESPEC North America offers a lot of specifications and informative articles on the types of chambers used in altitude and environmental testing.

Comprehend the terms surrounding altitude testing

A number of factors are measured during an altitude chamber test, including temperature, humidity and air pressure. Understanding these terms and a little about how they are measured during testing will help when communicating test results to co workers and potential clients.

I recommend: Equipment Reliability Institute provides a detailed and easy to read glossary of terms associated with machine and product testing. TestChamber.com has a fantastic glossary of testing and measurement terminology as well as a host of information on testing chambers in general.

Learn the elements controlled in altitude and environmental chambers

Heat, cold, oxygen levels, humidity and pressure, as well as thermal shock and thermal stress are measured when using altitude testing chambers. Understanding the language and terms surrounding environmental testing is core to measuring and predicting results.

I recommend: LR Environmental Equipment offers both a detailed explanation of the factors measured in chamber testing as well as tips on how to choose the most suitable chamber for your needs. DATASYST Engineering & Testing Services offers the fundamental definitions of the main types of components tested including temperature, thermal shock, humidity, altitude and HALT/HASS.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Knowing the various names and functions of your particular altitude chamber design allows to not only understand the testing procedure better but communicate issues or necessary repairs to a repair company or parts supplier.

Altitude and environmental chambers are essential in evaluating products and spotting potential errors or flaws. Air pressure and temperature can be adjusted in an altitude test chamber, imitating different environmental conditions.

Altitude testing mimics conditions like vibration, falling, and shock on a tested object at simulated altitudes. You can use information obtained during environmental testing to improve your products before they are marketed to the public.

Consideration should be given to these issues for environmental and altitude tests:

1. What product aspect needs to be tested using altitude and environmental chambers?

2. Climatic testing evaluates the effects on an object of such of natural environmental conditions as humidity, temperature, and precipitation upon an object, over a shortened period of time.

3. During mechanical testing the effects of shock from conditions like free fall, compression, and bending are evaluated.

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Learn about altitude and environmental chambers

Applications suitable for altitude test chambers include product shelf life, package testing, stability, light exposure and temperature evaluation studies.

I recommend: Thermotron has extensive information on many types of environmental and altitude tests. Search for the type of test or altitude testing chamber you need and get detailed information on its unique testing capabilities. Environ Laboratories gives you a choice of multiple types of environmental and altitude simulation test conditions. Under each is a description of the testing, specifications, and equipment used.

Compare types of environmental and altitude chambers

Evaluate altitude chamber design that will best assess your products. These include bench-top, reach-in, vacuum, walk in rooms, and laboratory ovens. Altitude test chambers simulate thermal shock, vibration, humidity, temperature, salt, spray and fog.

I recommend: Depending on the type of environmental simulation you require, compare altitude test chamber designs side-by-side. TestEquity has a chamber selection guide comparing inside volume, outside dimensions, temperature variances, and power for various environmental test chambers. CSZ catalogs altitude test chambers by performance, listing features and benefits of each.

Evaluate environmental and altitude chamber design

The proper environmental test chamber design conducive to successful product evaluation depends strongly on your desired outcome. Select from walk-in test chambers, climatic environmental chambers, humidity test chambers, mechanical environmental test chambers, thermal shock chambers, and vacuum test chambers.

I recommend: Industrial Quick Search saves time in your search for altitude chambers. Find companies' contact information along with a summary of the altitude and environmental chambers each specializes in. FindaSensor filters altitude testing chambers by country. You can also contact an expert regarding an altitude chamber design you need but cannot locate.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Determine the maximum size you want and available space where the chamber will be located before contacting a company about your environmental test chamber needs.
• •  Discuss the details of your altitude chamber test needs with the manufacturer or supplier. Knowledgeable experts can help you narrow the type of altitude testing chamber you need to effectively evaluate your product.

Many companies allow employees to receive altitude test chambers education and training to teach them the ins and outs of the test chambers as well as tips for repairing and troubleshooting the machine. Training employees cuts down on repair costs and time lost due to machine downtime. With more efficient machinery operations, your staff can provide better service to customers, which increases profits and sales.

There are three ways to provide employees with altitude test chambers education and training. Seminars provide professional training to employees, are normally held on the weekend and provide in-depth study of the altitude test chambers. Information is also available online for download or direct review. Online information is traditionally less comprehensive than seminars but online training resources are free.

1. Attend seminars for training with altitude chambers.

2. Download manuals and guides for altitude chamber training.

3. Find online information on operating and repairing altitude test chambers.

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Locate seminars for altitude chambers training

Seminars are best for companies who want to send employees to receive professional, in-depth training over the course of a day or weekend. Seminars are the most comprehensive (and often the most expensive) form of altitude test chambers education and training.

I recommend: Cincinnati Sub-Zero offers free training seminars twice a year for customers who need altitude chamber training. The only catch to this training is that it's only held at the company's plant in Cincinnati. Thermotron provides half-day or three-day trainings for altitude and environmental chambers.

Download manuals and guides for altitude chamber training

Downloading manuals and guides allows you and your employees to view the information while online or offline. Most of these guides are in PDF format and can be printed for hands-on use with the machine. These manuals are free of charge to all who choose to download and print them out.

I recommend: Visit Envirotronics for altitude chambers manuals and information about all the parts located in the hypobaric chamber. Cascade TEK offers tips and information about environmental test chambers that conduct altitude tests. Review their many options on their download page. Thermal Product Solutions provides operating manuals for the leading companies in altitude chamber design.

Read online information about operating and repairing altitude test chambers

Free online information is available for operating an altitude test chamber. These guides are web pages that can be printed but are not downloadable. These pages also allow you to ask questions and receive educated answers from skilled professionals.

I recommend: Measurement Testing provides a wide selection of forums about altitude testing. Find operating information and maintenance schedules for altitude test chambers at ESPEC.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many altitude test chambers are also called environmental test chambers. Environmental test chambers check a wide range of environmental aspects such as altitude, humidity and shock.

Floor-model and cabinet-style altitude chambers operate with specific temperature and humidity controls to test consumer products and other industrial goods. The overall goal of altitude tests is to examine devices, parts and assemblies for stability as well as the ability to withstand various environments such as heat, shock, vibration and compression. Other names for the altitude test chamber include altitude chambers, altitude tests and altitude and environmental chambers.

Altitude test chambers applications and uses pertain to aerospace and satellite equipment testing, materials research, engineering, solar energy equipment and other scientific and industrial settings. In addition, altitude test chambers apply to computers, packaging materials and automotive products and parts. Manufacturers and laboratory testers house products and parts in compartments within the altitude test chamber for proper stress testing. When evaluating altitude test chambers applications and uses:

1. Specify project goals and how they involve the use of altitude test chambers.

2. Figure out which models or sizes of altitude test chambers work best with your tasks.

3. Seek technical support from altitude simulation test manufacturers who have field experience.

4. Consider some altitude chamber training options.

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Use altitude chambers with relevant project tasks

Whether it's automotive or toy parts and components, consider altitude chambers that work best for accurate stress testing.

I recommend: Thermotron’s altitude test chambers are designed to test electronics, computers and consumer packaging materials. Altitude and environmental chambers from Envirotronics are designed to test pharmaceuticals for the capability to withstand humidity and varying temperatures.

Choose altitude and environmental test chambers of different sizes or models

Depending on the scope of your project, pick altitude test chambers that operate with different temperature and capacity ranges. Some altitude test chambers function with temperature ranges from 100 degrees F to 350 degrees F.

I recommend: Tenney manufactures altitude simulation test equipment that simulates altitudes ranging from 200,000 to 400,000 feet. CSZ Industrial features altitude and environmental chambers that range from 8 cubic feet to 64 cubic feet.

Generate resources of technical support for altitude chambers

Find altitude test suppliers that provide customer and technical support for your products.

I recommend: Environmental Associates offers testing services for altitude and environmental chambers. In addition to manufacturing altitude test chambers, Air-Craft Environmental Systems offers rental and troubleshooting services.

Find educational and technical resources for safely operating altitude test chambers

Seek training through manuals or courses on how to use altitude and environmental chambers effectively.

I recommend: TA Instruments provides online and hands-on training for altitude and environmental chambers that focus on installation, theory and applications. Tri-State Environmental Chamber Services offers altitude test equipment consultation and altitude chamber training. Course topics focus on programming, loading and tuning procedures.