 50 years have passed since Institute Dr. FOERSTER was founded and the development of innovative system solutions is leading us into a promising new millennium. Nowadays, such a situation is an exception to the rule for an independent family-owned business. What is the reason for this positive overall balance?
The answer to this question can be seen if we review the company history: Dr. Friedrich Förster motivated those around him right from the very start thanks to his inexhaustible thirst for research and innovative spirit. This pioneering spirit moulded the company and, even today, after the death of the company founder, can be felt in the dedicated commitment of all staff.
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In 1937, whilst examining the magnetic properties of metals, Friedrich Förster discovers the effect of the earth's magnetic field on the magnetic coil of the test set-up. He starts with the development of highly sensitive measuring devices for magnetic fields. In 1948, the visionary establishes his own company, and seeks for ways to utilize the results that he has achieved from the scientific work at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut. His objective: The development of equipment suitable for use in industry.
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Very early on, FOERSTER combines research work with international appearance and customer proximity. This includes presentations to various bodies as well as exhibitions and trade fairs. The picture shows the 1958 Hanover Fair. In 1966, the Rhine-Ruhr Office is established in the centre of the German steel industry.
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During the Fifties, the scientific foundation of electromagnetic test methods is developed. For this, in 1957, Dr. Friedrich Förster is awarded the Victor de Forest Award. The method is publicized by Robert C. McMaster, USA 1959, in the standard work for non-destructive test methods.
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Already during the Sixties, in Italy, DALMINE is testing hot rolled tubes for petrochemical use with the TUBOTEST leakage flux installation.
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In 1963, the first magnetic field measuring device from FOERSTER is installed in an satellite. With it, Mariner II also explores the magnetic field of Venus. Other measuring devices follow in numerous space exploration projects, e. g. for the precise alignment of the X-ray satellite ROSAT. There is even a FOERSTER probe on the moon. In 1992, the NASA gave its highest award to Prof. Förster for his work.
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The globalization of the sales network begins
in 1968 in France with the establishment of
the first subsidiary.
1972 - FOERSTER Japan, 1978 - FOERSTER Instruments in the USA (picture),
1989 - FOERSTER Italy, 1991 - FOERSTER Great Britain,
1991 - FOERSTER TECOM in the Czech Republic,
1993 - NDT Instruments in Singapore,
1995 - Joint ventures in India and China,
1994 - Through the take-over of the firm GEWERTEC in Dortmund, the basic technology is expanded with the pulsed eddy current method.
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As one of the first, in the early Seventies, Saarstahl AG integrates an eddy current hot wire testing unit in its wire rolling mill.
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Not without some degree
of pride, we detect the eddy current testing device DEFECTOMETER H in the Lufthansa advertising of 1989. We can confirm the adver-tising statement by Lufthansa "For us, flying is precision work" with "You're right –
You're testing with the best!"
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As one of the first German companies, in 1993 FOERSTER gains ISO 9001 certification for its Quality Management System.
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Sanyo Special Steel, Himeji, Japan, reduces since 1996 the uncertainties of manual defect elimination by using an automatic machine based on STATOFLUX. Defect detection and positioning for remachining now takes place far more effectively.
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MULTI-CAT is a mobile, multi-channel probe carrier system for mapping magnetic field anomalies, used by site clearing services and in geophysics. Determination of the coordinates is GPS assisted. The shown set-up operates at a speed of up to 2.5 m/s and can be safely employed even in difficult terrain.
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To specify the quality characteristics of hot-rolled, seamless steel tubes, Mannesmann S.A. Brazil, have been using since 1996 a highly modern multi-test block. In 1998, a similar
leakage flux test unit
was supplied to Japan.
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DEFECTOPULS: Fully automatically controlled by the test mechanism, a total of six eddy current probes scan the critical areas of piston rods for cracks.
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DEFECTOMAT CP - is the latest development of the DEFECTOMAT family. Over 500 times worldwide it is already ensuring improved production quality.
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ROTOSCAN: The test mechanism for rotationally symmetrical components can be used alternately
as a stand alone or expanded to become a com-plete testing station as a work together solution, with single, respectively multi-channel eddy current modules.
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The FOERSTER technology of the future provides perfect integration in the production process. DEFECTOTEST DS 2000, is a universal concept for individual solutions and offers multitasking on compatible platforms.
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