Most glovebox problems don’t show up in a brochure. They show up after weeks of real use—when stability drifts, transfers waste time, consumables spike, or one operator mistake contaminates the chamber.

Before you sign off and pay, run these 7 acceptance tests. They’re practical, fast, and they expose the issues that matter.

Test 1: Leak / Pressure-Rise Test (long-term stability)

Goal: verify seals, valves, fittings, and build quality—your true stability foundation.
Ask for: method + conditions + recorded result, not “trust us.”

Ask:

  • What method is used (pressure rise/decay)?
  • What are the test conditions for main chamber and antechamber? Any logs?

Test 2: Antechamber Evacuation Speed (daily productivity)

Goal: transfers are constant; slow evacuation means daily waiting.
Measure: time from atmosphere to target vacuum using your real loading scenario.

Do:

  • Load typical items the way you actually do
  • Time the evacuation to the setpoint

Test 3: Purge Cycle Performance (how much air you really remove)

Goal: one pump-down is often not enough; multi-cycle purge improves repeatability.
Verify: configurable cycles + clear procedure + repeatable outcome.

Ask:

  • How many cycles are supported? manual vs automated?
  • Can vacuum/pressure/hold-time per cycle be configured?

Test 4: Recovery Curve After a Real Disturbance (how fast it returns)

Goal: real work causes spikes (transfers, hands-in operation, equipment cycling).
Measure: how long O₂/H₂O takes to return below your threshold after a typical event.

Do:

  • Run one representative transfer
  • Record peak → time-to-threshold for O₂/H₂O

Test 5: Sensor Calibration & Drift Check (can you trust the numbers?)

Goal: “has sensors” ≠ “accurate sensors.”
Verify: calibration procedure, time required, and serviceability.

Ask:

  • How is calibration performed (what standards/gases are required)?
  • Is sensor replacement quick and low-downtime?

Test 6: Interlocks & Anti-Mistake Logic (prevents the one disaster)

Goal: humans make mistakes; the system should prevent catastrophic sequences.
Verify: valve interlocks, alarms, and clear state indicators.

Do:

  • Safely simulate a wrong action and confirm the system blocks it and alarms appropriately

Test 7: Serviceability Quick-Check (ownership cost control)

Goal: gloves, seals, filters, and purifier regeneration define long-term cost and downtime.
Verify: ease of replacement and whether consumables are standardized.

Ask:

  • Typical glove replacement time? any special tools?
  • Are key seals/filters standard parts? What’s included in the spare kit?
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