The Applied Technical Services Family of Companies (FoC) provides highly accelerated life testing (HALT) to identify design and manufacturing vulnerabilities before product deployment. Our laboratory offers comprehensive HALT services, including thermal step stress, rapid thermal cycling, vibration step stress, and combined environment testing. Each program begins with a systematic review of the product, its operating environment, and failure criteria. We document all failures to deliver actionable data for our clients.
Can HALT Be Performed on Assemblies and Subsystems, Not Just Finished Products?
Yes. Conducting HALT on assemblies and subsystems early in development identifies potential weaknesses when design changes are still cost-effective. Typical test articles include:
- Components: circuit boards, power supplies, sensors, and connectors
- Subsystems: modules, wiring harnesses, and enclosures
- Finished products: complete units and critical assemblies
Custom fixtures ensure effective transfer of vibration and thermal energy to the test article. Continuous functional monitoring verifies performance during testing.
About Our HALT Testing Services
Our specialists design each HALT program to meet your product’s specific requirements. Clients define the test stimuli, step increments, and failure criteria, which we execute under controlled laboratory conditions. Our services include:
- Hot and cold thermal step stress
- Rapid thermal cycling and thermal shock
- Vibration step stress and combined thermal-vibration testing
- Functional monitoring during stress
- Custom fixture design
- Detailed reports with clear photographs
We support manufacturers in industries such as aerospace, defense, healthcare, automotive, power generation, and consumer products.
What Happens After HALT Finds a Weakness?
We document each failure, including the stress level and environmental conditions. This data helps engineering teams identify root causes and implement corrective actions such as design changes, component substitutions, or process improvements. A follow-up verification HALT on the revised design confirms that corrective measures have improved product margins without introducing new issues. Many clients then proceed with accelerated life cycle testing to assess long-term reliability. Because HALT is exploratory rather than pass/fail, our reports provide objective data to help prioritize product improvements.
Request HALT Testing
To discuss how HALT testing can improve your product’s reliability, contact us at +1 (888) 287-5227 or complete our online request form with details about your samples, operating environment, and project timeline. Expedited services are available. Our team will help define a suitable testing program and provide a tailored proposal.
