Forward Techology News

Forward Tech is hiring! Click the link below if you are interested in learning more about the Sales and Application Engineer position.

About Our Systems

Forward Technology has developed automated production systems
for formed respirators and disposable face masks, capable
of quickly producing mass quantities for use across multiple
industries.

Our production systems are ideal for mid to large size companies
looking to make their own masks to comply with government
mandates and provide additional protection for their employees.
The systems are also ideal for government centers that provide
masks for employees and visitors.

The process is highly-efficient with a small footprint, allowing
companies to seamlessly install the equipment in existing
infrastructure without disrupting existing process flows. Each
automation system contains Mecasonic Ultrasonic generators and
components, making for a fully-integrated automation line.

Capabilities

• Automated mask production
• Varying levels of automation available
• Complete stand alone stations also available for reduced cost and further compressed lead time
• N95 System throughput rate: 500+/hr
• Surgical System throughput rate: 650+/hr (Second Strapping Machine can be added to increase throughput)
• Equipment is provided on reduced lead times
• Fully integrated Mecasonic Ultrasonic generators and components
• Made in the USA

Formed Respirator System

Our Formed Respirator System produces 500+ masks per hour and can accept a wide range of filter medias, an optional fourth roll, and web feed for additional filtering or graphic layers. One operator can keep the equipment fully functional by loading and unloading the rotary based ultrasonic welding station and changing material rolls as necessary. It features a completely integrated controls package that allows complete system control from one central HMI. The respirator’s shape and strap options may be customized to meet each customer’s individual requirements.
*Please note that several items, stations, and features are not shown in system images above for clarity purposes.

Disposable Face Mask System

Our Disposable Face Mask System is capable of producing 1 mask every 4-6 seconds, which equates to over 650 masks per hour. An optional second strapping system may be added to further increase throughput. The equipment can accept a wide range of filter medias, an optional fourth roll, and web feed for additional filtering or graphic layers. This is a fully-automated system with no operator intervention required except for material roll change out and final packaging of completed product. It features a completely integrated controls package that allows complete system control from one central HMI.

We have  our own YouTube channel – click here to see some of our equipment in action!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Forward Technology Announces Major Expansion at Cokato, Minn. Headquarters

10,000-Sq-Ft Expansion Positions Company for Growth in Plastic Welding Equipment and Testing Systems

COKATO, Minn., September 12, 2014 – Forward Technology, a leading manufacturer of standard and custom plastic welding equipment and testing systems, has announced a major expansion at its Cokato, Minn. headquarters site, which will enable the company to significantly expand penetration into growing markets. Forward Technology’s 10,000-sq-ft expansion includes 6500 sq ft of extra manufacturing space and 3500 sq ft of new sales/office room.

Forward Technology, a company of the Crest Group, manufactures standard and customized plastic welding and testing systems specifically suited for thermoplastic parts for a broad range of applications in the automotive, medical, appliance, battery, filtration/fluid air, and consumer goods markets.

The new expansion, which was completed at the end of August, is part of a strategic effort to devote considerable new resources to help customers be more efficient and cut costs. Forward Technology plans to increase staffing for sales, marketing, and technology functions at its Cokato headquarters site and sales office in Detroit, according to Brian Kivisto, president of Forward Technology and executive vice president of the Crest Group.

“With our broad product portfolio of plastics assembly and testing equipment, we are firmly positioned as a strategic supplier and this expansion signals our further commitment to key national and multinational OEMs,” said Kivisto.

A growing U.S. economy has led to increased demand for welding equipment for the plastics manufacturing industry in a range of markets. In particular, Forward Technology has seen strong growth in infrared welding equipment for the automotive and appliance markets to meet the demand of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.

Forward Technology designs and manufactures one of the broadest portfolios of standard and customized plastic assembly and testing systems specifically targeted for thermoplastics. The product line includes systems for hot plate welding, vibration welding, infrared welding, spin welding, and ultrasonic welding as well as systems for burst testing and custom leak testing.

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About Forward Technology
Forward Technology is a world-class manufacturer that designs and builds one of the widest available arrays of standard and customized plastic assembly and testing systems specifically targeted for thermoplastic parts. The company is located in Cokato, Minn. with a satellite service center in Sterling Heights, Mich. Forward Technology is a unit of the Crest Group – a multinational corporation comprised of several entities (some with similar offerings) who share ideas and technological developments to enhance and expand the capabilities of the entire Crest Group Company. To visit our parent company’s website, go to www.thecrestgroupincorporated.com or www.crest-ultrasonics.com.

Forward Technology manufactures systems for hot plate welding, vibration welding, infrared welding, spin welding, and ultrasonic welding, as well as burst testing and custom leak testing. The company can incorporate standard core technology into an automation system, including robotic capabilities, to meet specific requirements. For more information, visit www.forwardtech.com.

Press Contact:
Joseph Grande
413.684.2463
joe@jgrandecommunications.com

COKATO, Minn., April, 2016 – Forward Technology, a leading manufacturer of standard and custom plastic welding equipment and testing systems, has announced a major expansion of its machining operations including construction of a new facility to house its CNC operations and the purchase of a state-of-the-art 4-axis machining center. The $1.2 million investment enables the company to consolidate its CNC operations and perform all of its machining in-house, according to Brian Kivisto, president of Forward Technology and executive vice president of the Crest Group.

Forward Technology’s new 6600-sq-ft CNC machining facility, which is attached to the company’s main manufacturing/office complex in Cokato, will house Forward’s existing eight machining centers along with the new AmeraSeiki Model VB2432A four-axis vertical machining center (VMC). The focused investment on machining, which was completed earlier this year, is an integral part of the company’s strategic growth strategy which targets improved productivity and reduced cost for its customers, explained Kivisto.

“As a leading supplier of plastics assembly and testing equipment this is another initiative which solidifies our further commitment to key national and multinational OEMs,” said Kivisto. “The new machining center enables us to be 100% self-sufficient for the production of large metal castings and welded machine frames and other related component systems for our complete portfolio of welding equipment.”

Previously, Forward Technology was forced to outsource machining for larger castings and frames because of the limited size of its existing machining centers. The new four-axis machining center will enable Forward to better respond to market needs by eliminating outsourcing to local vendors, thus reducing lead times and improving quality control. In some cases, lead times will be shortened by two to four weeks, according to Kivisto.

The AmeraSeiki vertical machining center boasts a capacity of 48-in by 108-in. It also features a right angle head which permits the use of a fourth axis. The VMC is claimed to be one of the largest vertical machining centers in the state of Minnesota.

A growing U.S. economy has led to increased demand for welding equipment for the plastics manufacturing industry in a range of markets. In particular, Forward Technology has seen strong growth in infrared welding equipment for the automotive and appliance markets to meet the demand of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.

Forward Technology, a company of the Crest Group, manufactures standard and customized plastic welding and testing systems specifically suited for thermoplastic parts for a broad range of applications in the automotive, medical, appliance, battery, filtration/fluid air, and consumer goods markets. The product line includes systems for hot plate welding, vibration welding, infrared welding, spin welding, and ultrasonic welding as well as systems for burst testing and custom leak testing.

Press Contact:
Joseph Grande
413.684.2463
joe@jgrandecommunications.com