Castlet have a history forged in research and development for the aerospace and defence sectors, working with the industry since the 1980s. 

Our market-leading Environmental Chamber, the Thermotron, is used to test and build bespoke equipment used with military and aerospace customers to ensure it operates to strict measurements and safety requirements.  

Castlet has one of just ten Thermotrons with an attached shaker in the UK. This enables us to test harsh environmental conditions and monitor system performance via sensors ported outside the chamber. 

We test critical systems, including those used on the Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 Lightning II, using rigorous temperature and vibration testing before dispatch. By evaluating pre-prototypes before manufacture, we provide early results that allow design improvements to be made. This pre-production testing ensures Castlet delivers fully functional, tailored solutions that meet operational, environmental, and safety requirements. 

To discuss your requirements, please get in touch, and to learn more, download our services brochure.

The Thermotron is an important part of our testing process. It is able to test temperatures from –70degC to 180degC to simulate extreme weather conditions, ensuring equipment is ready for market. 

It also uses stimulation to go further and test the product’s limits and potential weaknesses. We test the vibration limits by developing a variable mV/g signal based on the acceleration produced by the impactors. 

The vibration level monitor directs the accelerometer signal to the 8800 via the T-Bus cable. 8800’s control software determines a control throttle (0-100%) and sends this throttle via the TBus cable to the control module. Based on the control throttle, the control module adjusts the duty cycle of the air solenoids until the acceleration is at the set point.   

This dual simulation and stimulation approach ensures that we can identify any design errors with the equipment before it goes into production or is placed on the market.  

Environmental Chamber Testing is beneficial to clients who also employ our design services. We work closely with our clients throughout the design process to ensure the equipment is compatible with their existing systems and integrate any changes to produce a working prototype that meets performance requirements. 

We then use the Thermotron to undergo rigorous testing and ensure the equipment meets the criteria outlined in the original specification, simulating harsh environmental conditions and monitoring system performance via sensors ported outside the chamber. 

This full-service approach is beneficial to clients who want to create a product that is easy to use and guarantees safety. Our systems can be designed to be self-monitoring and provide continual feedback to the user, to ensure optimal safety throughout. 

As well as using our Thermotron for ongoing client work, the chamber is available for third party hire (on site only) at Castlet’s premises in Lincoln, England. 

At Castlet, we have the unique advantage of having access to just one of ten Thermotrons with an attached shaker in the UK. This puts us in a unique position where we can thoroughly test using both simulation and stimulation to ensure that your equipment is built to withstand extreme environmental conditions as well as any sudden movements or vibrations. 

Get in touch today to find out how our Environmental Chamber could benefit your products research and development process, or to hire out the Chamber for independent use at our site in Lincoln, England.