AMETEK Aerospace & Defense, a leader in thermal management systems for commercial and military aircraft, has joined forces with Macrolink, Inc., a leading developer of rugged electronic equipment enclosures for military and aerospace applications, on the first actively cooled MIL-Spec ATX server specifically designed for extreme environmental conditions.

"As military and airborne electronic systems generate more heat and the space available to package these systems becomes smaller, there is a need to provide them with reliable cooling in a compact, rugged enclosure able to withstand the harshest operating conditions," comments Wes Hardin, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AMETEK Aerospace & defense

"The Extreme Environment ATX Server from Macrolink is designed to provide maximum operational flexibility and reliability. The 1½ ATR-long enclosure is capable of withstanding extreme temperature, altitude, humidity, shock, vibration, EMI and chemical exposure. The robust chassis is designed for avionics and ground vehicle applications and incorporates an advanced embedded vapor cycle (refrigerant-based) cooling system from the Thermal Management Systems business unit of AMETEK Aerospace & Defense. The vapor cycle cooling system reduces internal air temperatures by as much as 22oC below ambient."

The fully integrated system provides a completely self-contained and sealed environment so that dirt, sand, humidity, salt, and other contaminants do not get into electronics compartment. The active cooling system consists of three high-performance Rotron brushless Aximax vaneaxial fans and two lightweight Hughes-Treitler heat exchangers.  The modular system allows for field service and repair (low MTTR).

The unit's six PCI-slot enclosure features an integral front panel that accommodates MIL style M38999 connectors along with high-density COTS components. System boards and peripherals are easily accessed through a removable top cover.  Each unit can be customized to specific application requirements and is tested to MIL-STD 810 and RCTA/DO-160D. All internal and external surfaces are coated with an exterior epoxy finish for maximum corrosion protection.  Additional sizes, including 1 ATR, are under development.

Macrolink, Inc., headquartered in Anaheim, California, has nearly 30 years experience in design and manufacture of military electronic equipment for the world's leading defense contractors with an installed base of more than 100,000 units installed worldwide.  

AMETEK Aerospace & Defense is a leader in thermal management systems and components, engine and aircraft monitoring systems, data acquisition units, fuel and fluid measurement systems, engine and airframe sensors, cables, harness assemblies, avionics blowers, fans, and heat transfer and cooling systems.  It is a division of AMETEK, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with annual sales of more than $1.8 billion.