Tenney Environmental
Tenney Environmental is the leading manufacturer of environmental chambers. Tenney and Lunaire boast one of the most comprehensive lines of standard and custom environmental-testing chambers and rooms in the industry. Known for their innovative engineering and design, robust construction, and superior performance, Tenney and Lunaire test chambers are designed to meet all of your temperature, humidity, altitude, and vacuum-testing requirements. Tenney and Lunaire environmental chambers, rooms, and vacuum ovens are are available in a variety of configurations and footprints. Their experienced design team works closely with customers in selecting a test chamber that best meets their testing requirements.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Manufacturer
- Industry Type:
- Environmental Monitoring
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
About us
Located out of New Columbia, PA, Tenney and Lunaire boast one of the most comprehensive lines of standard and custom environmental-testing chambers and rooms in the industry. This was not always the case, however. Tenney was founded by Dwight Tenney, who got his start by perfecting a line of bakery equipment.
When Dwight Tenney's bakery equipment successes traveled and reached the U.S. government during WWII, everything changed. Test chambers, like bakery equipment, required specific temperature uniformity, humidity, and pressure levels. The only real difference between the equipment would be that the test chambers would be used to test virtually anything, instead of bread.
Demand for this new product began to rise after WWII. Companies such as IBM, GE, RCA, Xerox, and many more began to use Tenney's test chambers. It was then that Tenney began to dip into the aerospace industry, to meet the demanding requirements of testing the environments of space.
Nearly 50 years after the war, Tenney joined forces with two other companies: Lunaire and Gruenberg. Lunaire Environmental manufactured stability and steady state chambers, while Gruenberg manufactured industrial ovens, pharmaceutical sterilizers, and dryers. Both Lunaire and Gruenberg complemented Tenney's existing product offerings, creating a well-rounded, innovative line of products.
Tenney has been a leader of the testing chamber industry, and through its commitment to excellence, the company continues to march forward by continually developing stronger, more robust and more effective testing chambers. Tenney’s line of test chambers promises to meet all temperature, humidity, altitude, and vacuum-testing requirements in this generation and into the next.
History
Committed to innovation and robust designs, Tenney boasts one of the most comprehensive lines of environmental-testing chambers and rooms in the industry, however the company didn't start out that way. Surprisingly, Dwight Tenney spent his early years perfecting bakery equipment, when news of his successes reached the ear of the U.S. government, all of that changed, and the company began its surprising and successful march forward.
From Bread to Testing Chambers
Creating the perfect loaf of bread, one with an inviting brown crust balanced with light-as-air interior, is a delicate art. The temperature and humidity needs to be just right all the way through the rising, proofing, and baking processes. To repeatedly make perfect loaves, these conditions need to be easily and faithfully replicated. While making bakery equipment, Tenney learned virtually everything about creating environments with perfect temperature and humidity levels.
Familiar with Tenney’s accomplishments, the U.S. Government called upon Tenney to create test chambers during WWII. Like bakery equipment, the test chambers needed to have specific temperatures, humidity and pressure levels as well. However, rather than producing bread, these chambers could be used to test virtually anything.
After World War II
After WWII, progressive companies including IBM, General Electric, RCA, Xerox and many of the Detroit automakers began using Tenney’s test chambers, creating demand for this new industry. Additionally, another significant role that Tenney played was in America’s space program. To meet the demanding requirements of testing the environment of space, Tenney developed space simulators with the highest precision and complexity for the Apollo and Gemini missions. Astronaut, John Glenn, prepared for space travel in a space simulator built by Tenney for the Mercury and Gemini missions.
Arguably Dwight Tenney’s pioneering work and notable role in the development of testing chambers made him the grandfather of the industry. But as Tenney and his company became more well-known, similar companies were also popping up in the marketplace. In 1992 about 50 years after Tenney was asked to join the war effort, the company joined forces with two sister companies.
Creating Synergy
Lunaire Environmental manufactured stability and steady state chambers as well as forced air ovens and environmental rooms. Gruenberg manufactured industrial ovens, pharmaceutical sterilizers and dryers. The elements of these two companies beautifully complemented Tenney’s offering and processes. Combining these three sister companies was a synergistic move designed to furnish even more innovative solutions to the testing industry.
Fueled by collaboration and innovation, Tenney introduced the world to high vacuum chambers, cryogenics and multi-axis motion for space simulation. It was the first company to use cascade refrigeration in environmental chambers.
Tenney has been a leader of the testing chamber industry, and through its commitment to excellence, the company continues to march forward by continually developing stronger, more robust and more effective testing chambers. Tenney’s line of test chambers promises to meet all of your temperature, humidity, altitude, and vacuum-testing requirements in this generation and in to the next.
Tenney - 8.5SVO Vacuum Lab Oven
Tenney - T2 Temperature/Humidity Cycling Test Chamber