Reliability Above All: Thales Cryogenics Chooses HBK

For three decades, Ronnie van Leeuwen has served as a test engineer at Thales Cryogenics in Eindhoven. From his very first day, he has been part of the testing department, where a wide range of environmental tests are performed – from mechanical vibration and shock testing to rigorous climatic trials. In the early years, when the company still operated under the name Hollandse Signaalapparaten, most of the testing focused on in‑house products. “Back then, we had a large electro‑optics department with cameras, and every single unit had to be tested before it could be shipped to the customer,” Ronnie recalls.

Although Thales Cryogenics has become a leaner organisation over the years, the test lab has remained virtually unchanged in both size and strategic importance. After the move to the current facility in Eindhoven‑Noord, the lab expanded its role by opening its doors to external customers. Today, Ronnie spends roughly 90% of his time performing tests for other companies, with a strong emphasis on mechanical testing – particularly vibration and shock assessments.

According to Ronnie, an increasing number of companies are choosing to outsource their testing to specialised test laboratories like the one at Thales. “You need high‑quality, advanced equipment, but above all the expertise to perform the tests correctly. When I say ‘yes’ to a customer’s test specification, there’s a great deal of knowledge behind that,” he explains.

In recent years, the test lab has also gained importance for Thales itself. As the company expands its activities in the aerospace sector, its cryogenic coolers are increasingly integrated into satellite programmes – applications that demand exceptionally rigorous and precise testing. “Because we can perform these tests in‑house, we keep full control over planning and continue to build our internal expertise. It also allows our developers to react quickly. If someone wonders whether a product can withstand a specific vibration profile, we simply place it on the LDS shaker, and within a few hours we have the results,” Ronnie says.

Around 10 to 12 years ago, Thales began conducting aerospace‑grade tests that placed significantly higher demands on its equipment. The LDS shaker in use at the time (model V826) had become outdated and no longer delivered the power needed to meet these stricter requirements. Thales Cryogenics therefore started searching for a suitable successor – one robust enough to handle heavy‑duty testing, compact enough to fit within the existing lab, and fully compatible with the climate chamber.

Ronnie, who oversees the testing equipment, quickly gravitated towards choosing a new LDS shaker. “Our previous LDS shaker served us reliably for an impressive 26 years without any issues. That alone speaks volumes about the reliability, robustness, and overall quality of the system. That experience ultimately made the decision easy: we wanted an LDS shaker again.”

The positive collaboration with HBK Sales Channel Partner, ENMO, also played an important role in the decision. “ENMO’s expertise, knowledge, and professionalism make working with them very a real pleasure. They are always ready to collaborate and provide excellent support.”

Thales Cryogenics ultimately selected the LDS V8 shaker, which continues to deliver reliable, high-intensity performance to this day. For Ronnie, reliability is a non-negotiable – especially for long-duration tests that can run continuously for several days, such as those in the automotive sector. “It’s reassuring to go home in the evening knowing the test will still be running smoothly the next morning.”

With the LDS V8 shaker and the strong collaboration with ENMO, Thales Cryogenics can carry out testing with confidence and continuity – exactly as it should be.

Tim Gardiner serves as Product Manager for HBK’s LDS Vibration Testing Systems. In addition to leading product strategy, he plays an active role in ENMO’s biennial Vibration Testing Day, helping bring together and educate professionals across the vibration‑testing community.

At recent editions hosted by Thales Cryogenics in Eindhoven, Tim has delivered practical presentations on shaker selection and provided valuable updates from HBK. “These sessions are a great way to exchange ideas and learn from the challenges others face,” he notes.

With his deep technical knowledge and ability to translate complex topics into clear guidance, Tim serves as a strong ambassador for HBK – helping customers make confident testing decisions and reinforcing HBK’s commitment to sharing expertise across the industry.