Special Controlled Environment Enclosure to Jaguar Land Rover

Bigneat has supplied Jaguar Land Rover with a controlled environment enclosure for its Emission Test Laboratory in Solihull (UK). Used for experimentation, testing and production, Bigneat offers a range of enclosures and cabinets featuring controlled atmospheres: Humidity (<1% to 85% RH); Steady Temperature (4°C to 40°C); Clean Air (ISO Class 5 to EN 14644 Standard); and Modified Atmospheres for aerobic, hypoxic or anaerobic conditions. Jaguar Land Rover’s goal was to control cleanliness, temperature and humidity in order to achieve consistent testing conditions and results. A highly controlled environment was required, as well as maximum operator protection. Bigneat, working with Jaguar Land Rover and robot supplier Mettler Toledo, developed a totally custom built enclosure.

The special design includes two controlled environment compartments. The first is fully accessible by operators and is used for preparation and storage. The second contains the Mettler Toledo F-A747 robot and is where precise control is kept of the conditions. Temperature is maintained at 23°C ± 0.5°C and humidity at 45% RH ± 3%. The design also provides clean air for the surrounding room to minimise contamination.

The unit includes a chilled water coil, which reduces temperature and de-humidifies. A heating element raises the air temperature when it falls below 23°C ± 0.5°C. Steam is injected into the airflow from a separate humidifier unit to develop the correct humidity. The system is controlled and monitored by a control system, which manages the re-circulating and make-up air velocities. An alarm warns of low airflow conditions.