Environmental Testing

We understand the importance of product testing. Continuous improvement is fundamental to on-going development and the growth of our knowledge base.

The information learnt from comprehensive verification and validation testing can be incorporated into all stages of design and manufacture providing the best solution for our clients. We offer extensive test facilities not only for solutions manufactured in house, but also components that we integrate into customer products and stand-alone testing required by companies to meet industrial standards.

Our Test Capabilities

• Extensive experience with numerous international standards, including:
  • Defence (Mil-Std, Def Stan)
  • Aerospace (DO-160)
  • Hazardous Location (IECEX, ATEX)
  • Rail (EN)
  • EMC
  • Mil-Std-461
• Shock and vibration up to 270Kg payload
• Temperature (-40’C to +180’C)
• Humidity (10% to 98% RH)
• Thermal shock
• Solar radiation
• Degree of protection
• Consultation and generation of test methodologies, plans and reports

Military Environmental Product Testing

Military systems demand absolute reliability under extreme conditions, with particular emphasis on the strength and structure of these systems to ensure operational integrity. These systems are tested to withstand various forces, such as shock, vibration, and environmental stressors, to verify their resilience. A key goal of this testing is the reduction of environmental effects that could impact performance. APC Technology conducts testing to MIL-STD and Def Stan requirements, ensuring compliance through rigorous methods such as shock response spectra, thermal cycling, humidity, and EMC testing. Our advanced test systems are specifically designed for military applications, enabling comprehensive evaluation of system performance in relevant environments. Our in-house facilities and experienced engineers deliver validated results with detailed reporting, giving defence clients confidence that their systems will perform where failure is not an option.

Industrial Environmental Testing for Products

Industrial environments such as mining, oil and gas, and heavy manufacturing expose technology, including industrial machines and production equipment, to vibration, temperature extremes, dust, and hazardous atmospheres. Environmental testing is also performed on various structures in these industrial environments to ensure stability and safety. Equipment and structures can be affected by environmental conditions, leading to potential failures or reduced performance; testing addresses these issues by identifying vulnerabilities. APC Technology provides environmental testing tailored to these challenges and application needs across different industrial sectors, from IECEx and ATEX compliance to ingress protection, vibration, and thermal shock. Through rigorous testing, clients benefit from a reduction of vibration and other environmental effects, resulting in reduced downtime or failures. Clients benefit from tailored test plans, built through consultation with our engineering team to match industry-specific conditions and regulatory standards, ensuring equipment is safe, compliant, and durable.

Climatic Chamber testing

The climatic testing is used to re-create environmental stresses in a controlled environment to assess the product’s reliability, quality, safety, and compatibility to function following exposure or during exposure to conceivable climatic conditions.

Climatic chamber testing can also evaluate how surfaces and structures are affected by these environmental stresses, helping to ensure the stability and integrity of products and materials.

Vibration Testing

Through meticulous vibration tests, we forecast the resilience and strength of your product against potential damage from vibrations and external forces. Vibration testing measures key parameters such as acceleration, velocity, and force to evaluate how products and structures—including tables, machines, and entire systems—are affected by environmental disturbances. These tests are performed on a variety of structures to assess their ability to withstand and reduce vibration levels, ensuring effective vibration control and reduction for improved reliability. During testing, the number and order of vibration modes are analysed to identify critical resonances. For example, testing an optical table in a laboratory helps ensure vibration control for sensitive experiments. These assessments play a pivotal role in assuring the reliability of your product by verifying its resilience and performance under real-world conditions. Trust us to safeguard your product’s integrity every step of the way.

EMC testing

To mitigate potential test failures, we employ advanced techniques including filtering, shielding, and earthing/grounding throughout the design and testing phases. By addressing these critical aspects early on, we equip product designers and engineers with invaluable insights to enhance performance and ensure EMC compliance.

Our comprehensive suite of functional testing capabilities covers a spectrum of EMC requirements, including pre-compliance testing for radiated and conducted emissions, ESD, shielding effectiveness, and various compliance testing standards. With our expertise, your products are primed for success in today’s demanding EMC landscape.

Ingress testing

Coming soon: In addition to our existing suite of testing services, including climatic, vibrational, and EMC testing, we will soon offer Ingress Protection (IP) testing. This comprehensive testing ensures that enclosures, both for products manufactured by us and those provided by other companies, offer robust protection against environmental elements. IP testing assesses ingress of solid foreign objects, water, and dust, conducted according to AS 60529 (IEC 60529) standards. Ingress testing also includes assessment of surface protection against dust and water to ensure surfaces remain free from contamination and damage. Stay tuned for updates on this new testing service.

Contact us to discuss your testing requirements.