BEMCO Altitude Environmental Test Chambers

BEMCO Altitude Environmental Test Chambers

Testing for altitude allows a manufacturer to copy the effects of low pressure and high altitude on their product. Most environmental test chambers are able to generate altitudes of up to 200,000 feet (0.169 Torr) above sea level. Altitude testing is important for manufacturers of products that might be shipped via air and is especially important for the defense and aerospace applications.

Altitude Chambers include a vacuum box equipped with heating and cooling. To copy altitude, a vacuum pump is required. A mechanical vacuum pump is normally sufficient for altitudes to 100,000ft. Beyond that, a Diffusion or Cryo Pump may be needed. For cooling the altitude chamber to temperatures down to -73C, a cascade mechanical refrigeration system is required. This can be water cooled or air cooled.

The altitude controls of an Altitude Chamber can be of a manual simple type, or more sophisticated in which case the altitude cycle is programmable and automatic.