What's New, Page 3

SE Series with 8800 Programmer Controller

Engineered to provide the most accurate and reliable test results in the marketplace, the SE-Series Test Chambers extend Thermotron's reputation for excellent reliability and long life. Including more features as standard equipment than any other chamber in the marketplace, Thermotron adds exceptional performance and quality to the SE-Series Chambers' test capabilities.

The SE-Series Test chambers features the 8800 Programmer Controller, making operation and data collection easier than ever before. The 8800 displays a 12" color touch screen display, is ethernet-compatible and web-enabled with an Internet-ready front end for anytime/anywhere access. Multi-level, password-based security protects sensitive data.

The SE-Series Chambers also feature the versatile universal port, an oversized portal in the sidewall of the chamber, which can interface with slide-up modules, expanding your chamber's ability to perform more applications. High capacity compressors and product temperature control software allow the SE Series Test Chambers to reach a top end of 180C and the ability to achieve very rapid product temperature change rates. The SE-Series Test Chambers are available in several application-specific compressor selections and model configurations so you can match your individual testing needs. Reliable built-in electronic humidity sensors reduce maintenance and increase accuracy. Thermotron's patented modular humidity systems (10% RH to 98% RH) can be added later to adapt to your needs. SE-Series Test Chambers feature a left or right-hand door hinge, maximizing floor space. A stainless steel door is optional at no additional charge.

S-3800 Test Chambers

Thermotron's S-3800 Series Chambers deliver the quality and accuracy you expect. Featuring the 3800 touch sensitive programmer controller, wide temperature and humidity ranges and multiple chamber sizes to choose from, the S-3800 is the intelligent choice for simulated environment testing. Smaller, hermetically sealed compressors provide moderate temperature change rates while consuming less power than comparable chambers. Advanced features such as an electronic humidity sensor and optional product temperature control help reduce maintenance and test time. Thermotron's S-3800 Series Test Chambers can be used for a wide variety of prototype, durability, and production component screening tests.

Programmable Load Modules

Thermotron's Programmable Load Module (PLM) provides a programmable current load for product testing. Minimum, maximum, leakage, and surge currents can be acurately simulated and measured using the Programmable Load Module. Solutions that were once uneconomical or impractical are now possible with the unique features of the Programmable Load Module.

Housed in a Thermotron rack-mountable Programmable Load Chassis, large numbers of the Programmable Load Modules can be effectively and economically configured. Each Programmable Load Chassis provides convenient connection points for power and control signals and can hold up to ten 250-watt loads or five 1,000-watt loads.

Learn more about Programmable Load Modules by downloading the datasheet.

Load Assemblies for Test Systems

Save time and effort in building your next test system by relying on Thermotron's experience and capabilities to provide load and signal conditioning assemblies. Many modern electronic boards and modules interface directly with loads such as motors, incandescent lamps, sensors, heaters, squibs, or similar devices. When testing these boards and modules, it is necessary to provide an actual or equivalent electrical load. The loads may be necessary for the product to operate or they may be needed to simulate normal operating conditions. In a well designed test system, load boards contain the specialized functions that interface standard test and measurement instruments with the unique needs of a particular product. This is a wise choice in designing a test system. When properly designed, a test system can be upgraded to handle product changes by altering or exchanging load board assemblies.

Characteristically, load boards are large, due to the physical size of the loads. This size, coupled with the type of connectors required, generally make the Load Board Assemblies poor candidates for placement in a VXI or PXI chassis. Thermotron uses a special modular load rack to handle the size and power dissipation of our load assemblies. Please click here to download our brochure on Load Assemblies for Test Systems.

Universal Port

Thermotron is pleased to introduce a novel approach to move from "one tool - one test" to "one tool - multiple tests." With the integration of a Universal Port, an oversized portal installed in the sidewall on Thermotron's most popular SE-Series and SL-Series environmental test chambers, the chamber is a candidate for a multitude of modular transformations: the chamber becomes a gateway to future expandability and interchangeability. A wide selection of performance enhancing options can be adapted to the chamber to expand its capabilities, increase test system utilization, reduce capital investment, and make the test lab more productive. Modules characterizing different stress testing and simulation techniques can be interfaced with the chamber through the Universal Port: the temperature chamber becomes the HALT chamber, becomes the Thermal Shock chamber, becomes the remote conditioning blower.

Universal Port openings serve as building blocks for future upgrades. And with this modularity, comes a definite cost advantage. By purchasing the environmental testing tool with a Universal Port, you can now build up your test lab resources without having to re-purchase an entirely new chamber from the ground up each time your testing requirements change. You benefit by adding functionality to your existing equipment without having to purchase another dedicated machine complete with cost-intensive controls and conditioning equipment.

1 Cubic Foot Benchtop Environmental Test Chamber

Thermotron introduces the S-1.0 3800 Bench Top Environmental Test Chamber, great for testing small products or where space is a limiting factor. It occupies very little bench space, can be mounted in an instrument rack, or multiple units can be stacked to further conserve floor space. Occupying less than one cubic feet inside, the S-1.0 3800 is perfect for research and development and personal point-of-use testing. The S-1.0 features a temperature range of -40°C to +130°C and is available with humidity. Incorporating the 3800 Programmer Controller, the S-1.0 3800 offers the flexibility, uniformity and control accuracy required for cost effective testing for all types of products.

AST-20R with Mechanical Refrigeration

Thermotron's AST-20R Accelerated Stress Test System uses mechanical refrigeration instead of liquid nitrogen to achieve the rapid cooling rates required for HALT and HASS test profiles. Mechanical refrigeration may be the logical choice for installations where the infrastructure for liquid nitrogen is not yet established. Some of the advantages of using mechanical refrigeration include safety, lower installation costs, lower operating costs, one less utility required, and consumes no utilities when idle.

Accelerated stress testing is used to quickly force products to fail, understand the failure modes and mechanisms, and take appropriate corrective action to optimize the design. By using accelerated stress testing, you can reduce product development time, help get higher reliability products to market faster, and lower field failure and warranty costs.