Chamber for stability tests and controlled growth
The need to offer tailor-made solutions for every type of requirement and application has led the ALS team to gain consolidated experience in the design and implementation of customized projects that pay maximum attention to customers' requirements. The realization of climate chambers equipped with variable spectrum LEDs recreates a controlled environment with different climate conditions and photoperiods, sunrise and sunset situations, and irradiation stages similar to real ones, all-important requirements for the application of controlled growth of plants or entomological species.
Our Growth Chambers, or Phytotrons, are a particular type of Climate Chambers, born from the urge to give an economically valid answer to the need to have an instrument that allows the study of plants in an environment with controlled parameters. Our Growth Chambers are built according to specific microclimate or size requirements and pre-tested in-house before being installed at the Customer's premises and commissioned. The Walk-In type Growth Chamber or cabinet consists of a base and support structure with Floor, Walls, and Ceiling made of foamed sandwich panels. The Door, also made of foam panel, can be opened safely from the inside. The machinery for maintaining the microclimate is placed above the ceiling on a special structure. A suitably located electrical panel contains, among other things, the PLC which is specifically programd by us for the command, control, and supervision of the set microclimate and photoperiod parameters.
The range of prefabricated climate chambers is generally manufactured in this way:
Insulated floors are covered by pre-painted sheet metal or diamond embossed aluminum or anti-slip stainless steel. Our floors are also able to withstand heavy loads, such as those caused by forklift trucks. A drainage device is provided on the floor to make cleaning and evacuation of any spilled fluids easier. The inside corners are rounded for easy cleaning. The walls are made of modular panels with the following technical features:
- Core in expanded polyurethane, polystyrene, or Rockwool.
- Pre-painted steel or stainless steel cladding (AISI 304 o 316).
- Maximum fireproof rating: A2s1d0.
The service door is fitted with high-quality rubber or silicon gaskets and equipped with a microswitch to automatically switch off the fan when the door is opened. Externally the door is equipped with a handle, a key locking system that can be opened from the inside, and an internal emergency button. Manually or automatically opened sliding doors can be supplied on demand, complete with airwave safety devices. The door frame is heated by a specific built-in electric heating element. On-demand, protective curtains in PVC can be installed on the doors to limit heat loss when opened. The doors can be mechanically locked upon request with a key and can be opened using a personal ID card with RFID technology (BIOGUARD™). Thermoregulation of the chambers will be carried out utilizing a forced-ventilation evaporator, connected by insulated copper piping to the refrigeration unit. Condensate water from the evaporator is connected from the evaporator tray to the floor drain through a PVC pipe anchored along the nearest internal wall. Humidification is carried out utilizing a highly reliable stainless steel steam generator with hot steam, placed on the ceiling or next to the chamber, and equipped with a sleeve for the entry of softened water and a stainless steel bottom tray.
The lighting system will consist of, for example:
✓ IP55 LED ceiling lights, 24W color K 4000 white, mounted on the ceiling suitable for working in the environmental conditions of the climate chamber. Approximately 300 Lux on the floor.
✓ Switch-on control with presence sensor.
✓ Emergency lamps with automatic switch-on in case of power failure
The last generation controller ACP7, developed by Angelantoni after years of experience and leveraging the latest technologies, guarantees high-performance, maximum safety, and easy use. The control electronics have three separate processors: one for the control system, one for the alarm section, and one for communicating the detected data. Access to the parameters is password-protected with 3 privilege levels: users, service, administrator. The 7-inch display displays all key data on a single screen, allowing you to assess the operating status in real-time. The ACP7 controller has innovative functions to optimize consumption and continuously monitor parameters. The REAL-TIME function is used to display the daily temperature. This feature includes the events list and the record of the temperatures and operational variables sampled every 30 sec. for 10 years. All values are stored and event log files can be downloaded to a local PC via the controller's built-in USB port, or via WiFi/Ethernet/3G network technologies, with the possibility of also transferring and storing on CLOUD servers. The ECO MODE function enables the machine to an energy-saving operating mode. The PERSONAL PASSWORD allows you to regulate access to the controller and enable the editing functions of the user parameters. This PLC electronic programr and touch screen user interface designed in ALS gives you the maximum flexibility in meeting the customer’s requests. Able to program up to 1000 (one-thousand) cycles of 350 segments for temperature ramps (humidity and light on demand). Unlimited possibility of recording temperature (and humidity) variations over time. Alarm log on the table with date and time and the total number of times triggered. The stored cycles, the records, and alarm logs can be exported from Compact Flash to Pen Drive directly through the USB port on the control panel. There is a buffer battery that allows you to store data even in case of a power failure.
The ACP7 card can be connected to the CloudALS service or the local storage server (proprietary server).
If you want to manage the information on a local server, ALS can provide the card MODBUS protocol and by purchasing the Ethernet module you can download the data stored on the card (and the Bioguard® data) to a local server provided by the customer.
If the customer so wishes, he can manage the same data through our Cryolog software.
If, on the other hand, you wish to connect the equipment to the ALS server, you must first choose one of the modes offered:
- Connection via Ethernet module;
- Connection via WiFi module;
- Connection via GSM/3G module (data connection card to be provided by customer)
With the payment of an annual license for the connection to the ALS cloud service, it will then be possible to manage all the data stored in ACP7 via a web application made available to the user.
In this case, the data will be stored on ALS servers and the user, through the use of any device (smartphone, tablet, or PC), will be able to view and manage them in the most appropriate manner.
With these functions (both local and remote), users can consult in real-time, for example, the trend of the working temperature, the supply voltage, and in general, all the parameters monitored by the controller.
With a cloud connection, in the event of an equipment malfunction, maintenance staff can remotely access the machine operating information and quickly diagnose the problem, thereby helping to resolve it. The variety of choices between 3G coverage or the use of an Ethernet or Wi-Fi communication module facilitates any type of connection present in the environment of use and allows the remote control of the functions of a single or several Angelantoni devices on which ACP7 controllers have been installed.