Our Products

Aerotech is a world leader in the supply of external wind tunnel balances with an enviable reputation for accuracy, repeatability and reliability. They are used in automotive, aeronautical and teaching facilities worldwide. Each balance is designed, manufactured, installed and calibrated to customer specific requirements.

• Overhead or under tunnel configuration.
• Weigh-beam or Loadcell measurement systems.
• Fully computerised data acquisition and model attitude control.
• Balance elevation for different resolution centres.
• Full integration with tunnel controls.
• Designed for new facilites or to fit existing tunnels.
• Can be designed as multi-purpose: full model aircraft on tunnel centre-line with automotive on ground plane.
• Balances can be fully enclosed and air conditioned for harsh environments (eg. Icing tunnels).
• Comprehensive calibration equipment.
• Routine calibration verification (quick check) devices built in.
• High accuracy, repeatability and stability.
• Model "tare systems" can be incorporated to offset model and support equipment loads prior to load measurements, thereby maximising resolution and accuracy.

Aerotech designs and manufactures a range of model support and positioning equipment for many configurations of model testing of automotive, race-car, half and full model aircraft, civil structures, etc.

Automotive model mounting systems

• Extendable columns mounted to the model platform of an external balance and fitted with appropriate wheel pads and fixings to support and secure the model.
• Can be supplied with magnetic bases and air bearings for easy manoeuvring, precise positioning and secure fixing.
• Columns can also be motor driven to extend upwards for under body clearance for under body model changes and ride height adjustment.

Support systems for race-car models

• Overhead support struts with precision ride height control.
• External wheel support systems - automatic adjust with model position and attitude.
• Internal model motion systems for precision attitude changes in pitch, yaw and roll.
• Model motion systems can be supplied with an integrated six component internal balance and complete with fully calibrated on-board digital signal conditioning.

Aircraft Model Support and Positioning systems

• 3-pylon, 2-pylon and single pylon strut systems.
• Aerodynamically profiled fairings - high stiffness, minimal blockage.
• Fairings can be mounted on small turntables within the main turntable and be controlled to move in synchronism with yaw motion to maintain wind-on direction with constant blockage.
• Multi-axis turntable systems. Floor, ceiling and sidewall with synchronous control.
• Elevating rear struts for model incidence angle change.
• Sting support systems for use with internal strain gauged balances.
• Captive trajectory systems for wing mounted "stores" aerodynamics.

The behaviour of the air flowing around a model in a wind tunnel is monitored by a flow survey system onto which can be mounted various probes to measure parameters such as pressure, velocity, temperature or acoustic noise. The probe is traversed around the model in order to survey a user-selected range of locations, thus providing a profile for the measured parameter. Aerotech flow survey systems can be either, floor, ceiling or sidewall mounted and can be designed to operate in either Cartesian or polar coordinates. Calibrated positional accuracy is of a high order and the sophisticated control algorithms allow intricate and accurate profiles to be achieved.

Rotary flow survey systems

• High positional accuracy and repeatability.
• Optional laser correction for greater positional accuracy.
• Low aerodynamic interference.
• Large survey area from single, discreet rail installation.
• Additional rail systems can be installed to increase survey areas.
• Compact design.
• High stiffness carbon fibre composite construction.
• Fully programmable control and data acquisition capability.
• Selection of pass-through facilities for accurate signal and data transmission.
• Low installed weight.
• High structural integrity.
• High aerodynamic stability.

Overhead Cartesian gantry systems

• High positional accuracy and repeatability.
• High precision calibration using laser theodolite.
• Large survey volume - typically 13m x 12m x 4.3m (x, y, z).
• High stiffness with minimum blockage.
• Aerodynamically shaped, high modulus carbon fibre shrouding on motion systems and motion ways.
• Custom designed attachments and pods for various instruments - noise, pressure, etc.
• Designed with a system natural frequency to avoid building and other structural frequencies.
• Full controllability in manual or auto modes.

Continuous research and development has been a feature of Aerotech's products. We can assist with new laboratory equipment and development when there is a need for a feature of performance which does not currently exist, or we can assist with refurbishment programmes of existing equipment where budgets are restricted.

Aerotech have the technology and expertise to assist you with facility improvements or the planning of a new facility. Our staff can be relied upon to develop concepts which are based on our broad experience with aerospace, automotive, racing, and the sports equipment industries.

We are capable of providing design and consultancy services only or the complete project on a turn-key basis. Our approach to R&D test facility projects can be tailored to your needs. We can bring the benefit of our technical experience and high quality products to your laboratory improvement plans efficiently and economically.

As an example, our low speed wind tunnels can be equipped with interchangeable test sections, various balance and model support options, PC based controls and data acquisition, and features for high flow quality. A variety of performance and speed specifications can be met depending on the test requirements.

Accessory equipment is available including smoke generators for flow visualisation, internal and external balances, moving belt ground planes and flow conditioning equipment. Dedicated control and instrumentation can be written for special testing arrangements particular to your laboratory.

Other types of test facilities can be designed and supplied from materials test equipment to durability and performance test rigs. Our team is prepared to assist you in the development of your facility.

We are happy to offer an initial survey of your laboratory facilities and make recommendations for additions or improvements.

Test equipment for the aerodynamics research industry varies widely in terms of performance requirements, design and construction. Since each test facility is unique, Aerotech's test equipment is usually custom designed, highly engineered, innovative and employing state-of-the-art components.

Test facilities are continually relied upon for more precise data and greater data productivity. The competition for research and development funds, as well as the need to maintain up-to-date instructional facilities, demands that test facilities be continually improved.

Design innovation has always been one of Aerotech's main strengths. We are constantly striving to provide innovative solutions to the test engineers that are economic whilst performing to a tight specification.

Examples of this have been in the design and development of our "Fluid Belt Moving Ground Simulator" which can be used as an economic replacement for a moving belt system when testing automotive models with standard ground clearances. We have also designed and installed external balances on elevation systems to be able to change the resolution centre of the balance to be more versatile with a variety of test configurations and model setups.

As instrumentation, data acquisition, and controls have been continually improved, there is a need to retrofit test facilities with higher performance systems. As a result, the facilities themselves have been shown to need improvements in terms of the quality of the test conditions and the accuracy and speed of the various mechanical systems such as model supports, balances, and flow survey systems.

Aerotech ATE, Ltd. offer a wide variety of test facility equipment and services for the improvements needed to keep your research laboratory competitive.

Whatever your requirements in the field of fluid or aerodynamic research, talk to us at Aerotech. We may have the answer you have been looking for. For a more comprehensive appraisal of our products and services, email us at: info@aerotech-ate.com or call us on (+44)1435 865245.

Aerotech's multi-component internal strain gauged balances are specifically designed to measure the aerodynamic loads exerted on a scale model or its component parts during wind tunnel testing. The design principles have evolved from many years experience in the design and manufacture of highly accurate and rugged multi-component internal strain gauged balances for use in wind tunnels for the aerospace industry and automotive racing industry. All Aerotech internal balances are custom designed to suit each user's individual requirements and are, usually, of one-piece construction, with each strain gauge bridge dedicated to the measurement of one aerodynamic component alone. They have the capability of simultaneously measuring three orthogonal model or wind related forces (drag, side force and lift) together with the moments about their respective axes (rolling, pitches and yawing moments) to a high degree of accuracy and repeatability. Strain gauged balances can also be designed for isolated or simultaneous load measurements on tailplanes, flaps, ailerons, undercarriages, spoilers and external stores. Other uses may include the testing of road vehicles, ships, buildings, bridges, pylons and civil engineering structures under aerodynamic loading conditions. Balances can be supplied to meet the user's requirements for space envelope and load range, with outputs matched for maximum resolution. Matched data acquisition and signal conditioning systems can be supplied in either analogue or digital outputs and fully calibrated to integrate with the client's own system.

Typical applications for strain gauged balances

• Multi-axis sting balances for full-model aircraft
• Aerodynamic behavior during stores separation testing (captive trajectory on wing-borne stores)
• Wall balances for half model testing
• Helicopter and rotor blade aerodynamics
• Aileron and flap loads on model wings
• Aerodynamic loads on civil engineering structures
• Flow dynamics on model ships in towing tanks
• Full body forces and moments on race-car models
• Front and rear wing loads on race-car models
• Missile testing in high speed tunnels, etc.

Aerotech has developed its unique expertise in custom designing and manufacturing special purpose, single axis and multi-component, strain gauged loadcells and internal balances from many years experience in supplying to the stringent requirements of the aerospace and motor-sport industries. Devices have been used for the testing of high speed aircraft and missiles, Formula One racing cars and for many other diverse industrial applications.

• Single axis - tension, compression or torque
• Multi-axis - up to 3 forces and 3 moments in one loadcell
• High accuracy and rigidity
• Low thermal effects
• Environmental protection as required
• Incorporation within motion systems
• Comprehensive calibration
• One offs or batch quantity
• Custom designed for any application, examples being:
• Wing, body and wheel loads on race-car models
• Suspension and wing loads on full scale racing cars
• Continuous process weighing and monitoring
• Harsh environment design and regulation conformity
• Mechanical linkage system loads and activation sensing
• Multi-axis weighing platforms
• Helicopter and turbine propeller rotor loads
• Body components on production cars (eg wing mirrors)
• High speed train and rolling stock aerodynamics
• Loads in tensile testing machines
• Heavy goods transport aerodynamics

In addition to the design and build of custom pieces of aerodynamic measuring equipment, Aerotech also has a reputation for the refurbishment, updating and modification of existing balances to a high standard.

Our services include:

• Design evaluation and report on modifications
• Replacement of flexures and links as necessary
• Weighbeam refurbishment or Loadcell replacement
• New motion systems - yaw, incidence, etc
• Complete strip down and refurbish as necessary
• Re-assembly and re-commission
• Updated control and data acquisition systems
• On-site installation and re-calibration

From nearly two decades of experience in wind tunnel test equipment, Aerotech has developed a control and data acquisition system to complement all of its product range. The systems are configured in a modular format, enabling us to interface with existing equipment or to provide a complete turnkey project.

• Custom designed and manufactured data acquisition and motion control systems
• Stand alone or integrated into user's existing equipment
• PC based or multi-user systems
• Graphical presentation of acquired data on near real time
• Multi-axis calibration systems
• Multi-axis model motion systems
• Multi-axis aerodynamic force data
• Modular software packages to suit user's requirements
• Complete wind-tunnel management and control systems
• Update and refurbishment of existing facilities
• Computer management of multi port pressure scanning devices
• Communications and networking
• Automation and sequencing
• Flexible and modular approach