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This section provides an overview for wind tunnels as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 17 wind tunnel manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked wind tunnel companies as of May, 2025: 1.Airflow Sciences Corporation, 2.The Wind Tunnel Company, 3.Omega Engineering, Inc..
Table of Contents
A wind tunnel is a test facility for measuring and analyzing the forces acting on a fixed model of a building, airplane, automobile, etc., and the flow of wind around the model. By sending an airflow around a model, it is possible to simulate flight conditions for airplanes and driving conditions for automobiles. By matching the Reynolds number, even if the model is smaller than the actual aircraft, it is possible to obtain almost the same experimental results as actual flight or driving.
Wind tunnels come in all sizes: In the test facility of JAXA (Japan's national air and space agency), there is a low-speed wind tunnel, that is the largest in the aerospace field in Japan, measuring 5 to 6 meters in length and width, where the model is fixed. In the United States, there is a huge wind tunnel measuring about 24 meters in length and 37 meters in width.
Uses of wind tunnels are extremely wide-ranging, including the use of measurement data for aircraft and rockets, for which fluid design is important, as well as for automobiles, railroads, and the design of high-rise buildings and bridges, for which consideration of wind effects is important.
In addition to basic measurements of forces acting on the model, such as lift and drag, and pressure on the model surface, wind tunnel experiments also utilize particle image velocimetry (PIV) to visualize airflow.
Wind tunnels consist of a blower, a nozzle section, a rectifying plate, a measurement section, and a diffuser section. The same is true for flow visualization using PIV and other methods.
The Principle of Wind tunnels is to predict the real-world wind (fluid) flow by measuring the actual wind flow by changing a large object to be analyzed into a small, similar-shaped model, subjecting it to actual wind and matching the Reynolds number under the right conditions. Wind tunnels are experimental facilities that use Reynolds' law to measure and analyze the fluid effects of actual ambient wind.
By matching the Reynolds number Re, the flow of ambient fluid is equal when the geometry of the actual machine and the model are similar, which is called Reynolds' law in fluid mechanics. The Reynolds number Re can be calculated by the following equation.
The inertia of the momentum of the entire fluid (velocity x length) ÷ physical quantity calculated by kinematic viscosity (dimensionless quantity)
For example, considering the case where a precise model of a car running is made 1/10th the size of the actual car, Reynolds' law of similarity can be satisfied if the wind tunnel wind speed is set to 10 times the actual running speed. However, since kinematic viscosity varies with temperature, it is also important to adjust the temperature to match the kinematic viscosity of the actual run with the wind tunnel speed.
Wind tunnels can be broadly classified into two types of structures
The simple blowout type, also called an Eiffel-type wind tunnel, has the advantages of a simple structure and small installation space but has the disadvantage of requiring a large amount of power to provide airflow.
The circulatory flow type requires less power to generate air velocity and the flow is more stable, but it has the disadvantage that the temperature of the airflow rises significantly. The device itself tends to be large in scale. The Goettingen-type Wind tunnel is a well-known example.
CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) technology, which uses simulations to predict the results of wind tunnel tests, has evolved rapidly in recent years. Wind tunnels are used for scaled-down models compared to actual test rigs and buildings, but the prototyping cost and man-hours involved are still expensive.
CFD, on the other hand, involves the cost of installing PCs and software, but the subsequent operating costs can be reduced compared to Wind tunnel testing. However, to reach a level where CFD data alone is sufficient for designing without wind tunnel testing, it is essential to accumulate data and determine detailed parameters. The complementary relationship between CFD and Wind tunnel data verification is improving design accuracy and reducing man-hour costs at an ever-increasing pace.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Tescor, founded in the United States in 1991, is a manufacturer that provides specialty climatic testing and control systems to the automotive, HVAC, pharmaceutical, and life sciences industries. It offers a wide range of products, including environmental chambers, standard climatic chambers, wind tunnels, and dynamometers, as well as engineering services, maintenance, support, and biostorage solutions. The company's products and services are designed to meet quality standards such as ASHRAE, ARI, AHAM, IEC or JIS, and ISO standards.
Airflow Sciences Corporation, founded in 1975 and based in Livonia, Michigan, USA, is a manufacturer of fluid dynamic equipment. The company specializes in providing advanced engineering and consulting services in the field of fluid dynamics, with an emphasis on solving complex airflow and thermal management challenges. The product offerings include computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, wind tunnel testing services, and specialized data analysis tools. These products and services enable organizations to optimize designs, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the performance of various systems, such as HVAC, automotive, aerospace, and industrial processes.
The Wind Tunnel Company, established in 1995 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, is a manufacturer of wind tunnels and related products. The company specializes in the design and manufacturing of advanced wind tunnel systems, including subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic wind tunnels. These advanced facilities enable precise aerodynamic testing, aiding in the development of efficient and safer aerospace and automotive technologies. Its expertise lies in providing invaluable data for optimizing aircraft designs, improving fuel efficiency, and enhancing vehicle performance. The wind tunnel solutions are utilized by aerospace manufacturers, automotive companies, research institutions, and government agencies worldwide.
OMEGA Engineering Inc., founded in Norwalk, CT, in 1962 is a manufacturer of products used to measure temperature and humidity, flow and level, and pressure. The company's product portfolio includes thermocouple probes and assemblies, pressure gauges and switches, and air velocity measurement systems, wireless systems and portable optic sensors. The company serves markets including Automotive and Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage and Electronics and IT Infrastructure. The company also offers customer services that include support, custom research projects and customized services.
Engineering Laboratory Design, Inc., incorporated in 1966 and headquartered in Lake City, Minnesota, USA, is a manufacturer specializing in standard and custom laboratory equipment for education, industry, and research. Its product line includes subsonic and supersonic wind tunnels, water tunnels, wave channels, hydraulic channels, and sediment flumes, all utilized in fluid dynamics applications across various industries. The company operates from a 10,000 square foot facility, along the Mississippi River approximately 70 miles southeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The company offers various capabilities, including precision machining, sheet metal forming, MIG and TIG welding, electrical assemblies, and precision molding of fiberglass shapes.
Aerolab, founded in 1947 and headquartered in Jessup, Maryland, USA, is a manufacturer that specializes in custom wind tunnel design. Its product range includes wind tunnels for aerodynamic research, balances for measuring forces on wind tunnel models, smoke generators for flow visualization, model positioning systems for precise model attitude adjustments, and data acquisition systems for collecting and analyzing wind tunnel test data. Additionally, the company provides comprehensive support services encompassing design & analysis, fabrication, and installation, ensuring a holistic approach to its wind tunnel solutions.
HORIBA RADIO LABORATORY was established in Japan in 1945 and has spent the last three-quarters of a century growing as an R&D company and engaged in international operations. HORIBA Scientific offers 200 years of experience developing high-performance scientific instruments and analytical solutions. The HORIBA Group of worldwide companies provides an extensive array of instruments and systems for applications ranging from automotive R&D, process and environmental monitoring, in-vitro medical diagnostics, semiconductor manufacturing, and metrology to a broad range of scientific R&D and QC measurements. Operating in Asia, Europe, and North and South America, HORIBA scientific develops solutions that go beyond just products.
TecQuipment Ltd. was founded in 1958 and is based in Long Eaton, England, as a manufacturer, designer, and supplier of engineering education equipment. Their products comprise photovoltaic cells, solar light banks, experimental kits, air bearing apparatus, remote view hardware, bomb calorimeters, distribution trainers, and engine test sets, among others. The products allow students and teachers to carry out hands-on experiments that demonstrate engineering principles relating to aerodynamics, mechanics and dynamics, control engineering, process control, hydraulics and fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and electrical power systems. More than 100 countries around the world use these products with their students and teachers.
TecSolutions, Inc., established in 1995 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA, is a manufacturer of engineering equipment, and technological products for education. The company manufactures state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, training systems, and interactive learning tools, all tailored to enhance technical education and engineering training. These products are engineered to provide hands-on experience, fostering practical skills and knowledge in students and professionals alike. These educational equipment find applications in schools, colleges, universities, vocational training centers, and corporate training programs. It operates two brands named X-Cal and Tech-Labs that offer multiple products ranging from aerodynamics, control engineering to thermodynamics, and electrical power systems.
Calspan, founded in 1943 in Buffalo, New York, USA, is a manufacturer of research and testing products for the automotive and aerospace industries. The company specializes in aerospace testing, flight research, automotive testing, and wind tunnel services. The advanced testing facilities and technologies enable them to provide essential data and insights to clients. In aerospace testing, the products assist in aircraft development and safety evaluations. The flight research services help in flight testing and simulations, supporting aviation advancements. Automotive testing aids in vehicle safety and performance improvements. The wind tunnel services support aerodynamic research and product development across various industries.
Tyto Robotics specializes in the development of professional testing tools for the characterization of brushless motors, propellers and drones. Our test equipment and software precisely measure thrust, torque, RPM, power and efficiency to help drone designers optimize their propulsion systems.
Howden, originaly founded in Scotland in 1854, now part of Chart Industries, Inc., is a global supplier of mission critical air and gas handling products and solutions, providing service and support to customers around the world. With the power of engineering expertise and technology, the company's equipment play an integral role within their customers’ processes, providing sustainable and efficient solutions. They support multiple sectors including infrastructure, power generation, oil & gas, mining and transportation and more. They have also built a strong global network in more than 100 countries.
Ranking as of May 2025
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airflow Sciences Corporation |
13.3%
|
| 2 | The Wind Tunnel Company |
10.2%
|
| 3 | Omega Engineering, Inc. |
7.8%
|
| 4 | Engineering Laboratory Design, Inc. |
7.2%
|
| 5 | Aerolab |
6.8%
|
| 6 | Calspan |
6.1%
|
| 7 | Howden Group |
6.1%
|
| 8 | Tescor Inc. |
5.9%
|
| 9 | TecSolutions, Inc. |
5.7%
|
| 10 | TecQuipment Ltd. |
5.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the wind tunnel page as of May 2025. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
6 | 46.2% |
|
Canada
|
2 | 15.4% |
|
Japan
|
1 | 7.7% |
|
United Kingdom
|
1 | 7.7% |
|
Italy
|
1 | 7.7% |
|
Germany
|
1 | 7.7% |
|
Taiwan
|
1 | 7.7% |
69 products found
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