# ForTest – Full Content > ForTest is an Italian manufacturer of precision industrial leak testing and flow testing instruments, headquartered in Modena, Italy (historic former Maserati facilities). Founded over 30 years ago in the Italian biomedical district — where precision is a fundamental requirement — ForTest designs and produces measurement equipment for absolute decay leak testing, differential leak testing, flow testing, and metrology, serving manufacturers worldwide. The company's tagline is "We know the leak." The international legal entity is ForTest Europe Sagl (Lugano, Switzerland); the Italian operating company is ForTest Italia Srl (Modena, Italy). Regional websites: English (fortest.com), Italian (fortest.it), French (fortest.fr), German (fortest.de), Spanish (fortest.es). --- ## Who We Are ForTest was born in the Italian biomedical district, where precision is an essential requirement. For over thirty years, the company has been developing testing equipment dedicated to leak testing and flow testing, pursuing absolute perfection in measurement. ForTest's work is grounded in a culture of reliability that translates into more precise processes and better products for customers. From headquarters in Modena — in the historic former Maserati facilities — ForTest works alongside manufacturers worldwide to perfect their products through measurement precision. ### Mission To offer industrial manufacturers measurement certainty. ForTest designs leak testing technologies that make every component reliable, tested with method, precision, and continuity. The role is to ensure safe processes: stable readings, traceable data, repeatable results. Each test becomes a guarantee for the customer and for their product's reputation. ### Vision To innovate and bring industrial reliability to a new standard. The goal is to make leak testing an intelligent system that communicates with production lines, software, and operators. ForTest integrates hardware, sensors, algorithms, and metrological expertise into solutions built together with the customer, where consulting plays a fundamental role. ### Philosophy Technical partnership: in addition to guiding the customer in equipment selection, ForTest is committed to understanding how a test will impact their production, safety, and reputation. Equipment is designed for a wide range of in-process and post-process applications, ensuring excellent performance even in the most challenging conditions. ### Key Differentiators - **30+ years** of specialised expertise in industrial leak and flow testing - **Born in clean rooms** for biomedical and nuclear applications - **Patented Dual Absolute® technology**: no reference part required, zero maintenance, 4 measurement modes - **Industry 4.0 ready**: native PLC, MES, and data system connectivity - **Free 10-day equipment trial** under real production conditions - **95% of support requests resolved remotely** - **Certified periodic calibration** with ISO 9000 traceability --- ## Products ### Absolute Decay Leak Testing Absolute pressure decay measurement has been the cornerstone of ForTest since its founding. Born in clean rooms for biomedical and nuclear applications, it has evolved into the most widespread method for industrial leak testing — simple, reliable, 24 hours a day. An absolute decay leak tester is the preferred choice when a direct, linear reading is needed that is not very sensitive to part complexity: chambers, enclosures, hydraulic circuits, heat exchangers, automotive components, and single-use medical devices. It performs best on medium or large volumes where part response is predictable and thermal dynamics can be controlled. ForTest absolute decay leak testers combine metrological precision, measurement stability, and operational continuity. They offer repeatable readings, advanced interfaces, and native connectivity with production lines and MES systems. #### K Series – New Generation - **[K3990](https://www.fortest.com/product/k3990/)**: Single-channel. Compact size, high connectivity, reduced cycle times, integrated display. - **[K5990](https://www.fortest.com/product/k5990/)**: High measurement performance, touch screen display and keypad, high connectivity, compact size. - **[K7990](https://www.fortest.com/product/k7990/)**: Highly configurable, zero maintenance, suitable for all industries, reliable and precise measurement. - **[K7890](https://www.fortest.com/product/k7890/)**: Dual-channel. Double productivity, compact dimensions, capacitive touch-screen display and keyboard. - **[K3890](https://www.fortest.com/product/k3890/)**: Dual-channel compact. Double productivity, high connectivity, integrated display. #### T Series - **[T8990](https://www.fortest.com/product/t8990/)**: High precision and resolution, complete connectivity, pneumatic efficiency, innovative user interface. - **[T8970](https://www.fortest.com/product/t8970/)**: Continuous measurement in cc/h or cc/min, wide industrial connectivity, high precision and speed. - **[T6990](https://www.fortest.com/product/t6990/)**: Ultra-compact pneumatics, rapid interfacing, HMI touchscreen. - [All absolute decay leak testers](https://www.fortest.com/products/absolute-decay-leak-testing/) ### Differential Leak Testing Differential leak testing measures the pressure difference between the part under test and a reference, delivering high sensitivity to small leaks. ForTest's patented Dual Absolute® technology revolutionises differential testing by eliminating the need for a physical reference part. #### K Series – New Generation - **[K7090](https://www.fortest.com/product/k7090/)**: Patented Dual Absolute® technology. Zero maintenance, 4 measurement modes, pressure from -1 to 15 bar. - **[K3060](https://www.fortest.com/product/k3060/)**: Compact. Reduced cycle times, high measurement precision. - [All differential leak testers](https://www.fortest.com/products/differential-leak-testing/) ### Flow Test - [Flow testing instruments](https://www.fortest.com/products/flow-test/) ### Metrology - [Metrology instruments](https://www.fortest.com/products/metrology/) ### Software - [ForTest software solutions](https://www.fortest.com/products/software/) --- ## Applications ForTest leak testers and flow testers serve manufacturers across: - **Automotive**: Engine components, fuel systems, braking systems, transmission parts, HVAC components - **E-mobility**: Battery housings, electric motor components, power electronics enclosures, EV cooling circuits - **Agriculture**: Hydraulic components, irrigation systems, fluid circuit parts - **Hydraulics**: Valves, cylinders, manifolds, fittings, pumps - **Electronics**: Sealed enclosures, connectors, waterproof housings, IP-rated devices - **Biomedical / Medical devices**: Single-use devices, implantable components, diagnostic equipment, drug delivery systems, transfusion sets Equipment is used in-process (integrated into production lines) and post-process (end-of-line quality control), for components ranging from micro-volumes (under 1 cc) to large assemblies. - [Applications overview](https://www.fortest.com/applications/) --- ## Services ### Preliminary Testing on Products ForTest analyses the customer's part, identifies leak rates, sets up optimised test cycles, and provides a technical report for equipment selection and procedure setup — in ForTest's laboratories or on-site. ### Free Equipment Trial 10-day free trial of any ForTest instrument under real production conditions. No risk, no commitment. The most direct way to verify performance, cycle times, and ease of use before purchasing. ### Installation and Commissioning On-site installation and configuration of testing parameters. The technical team sets thresholds, pressures, times, and programs according to the customer's industry regulations — complete turnkey solution. ### Digital Integration and Data Management Industry 4.0 compliant. ForTest supports integration with PLC, MES, and data collection systems, facilitating traceability, quality control, and testing performance analysis. ### Consulting for Test Benches Engineering support for test bench design and revision — pneumatic architecture, seals, interfaces, and modules for reliable and repeatable tests. ### Technical Training Practical, real-work-oriented courses for operators: instrument use, parameter optimisation, and essential metrological principles. ### Technical Support 95% of requests resolved remotely, minimising downtime. Telephone, online multitasking assistance, and on-site intervention available. ### Certified Periodic Calibration ISO 9000-compliant calibration schedules maintaining metrological traceability to national standards. Performed in ForTest laboratories or on-site. ### Leak Rate Detection On-site measurement of customer product leak rates using certified primary equipment. Validates test programs, threshold values, and calibrator selection. - [Services overview](https://www.fortest.com/services/) --- ## Dual Absolute® Technology Dual Absolute® is ForTest's patented proprietary technology integrating the advantages of absolute decay and differential decay into a single system. Implemented in the K7090 and other instruments. ### The Problem It Solves Traditional differential leak testers require a physical reference part (sealed "master" component). This reference part is subject to mechanical stress, thermal drift, and wear — causing repeatability problems in production. A metallic reference part (300 cc, 2 bar) requires at least 20 minutes to restore elastic and thermal equilibrium after repeated pressurisation cycles. Dual Absolute® eliminates this by using two independent absolute measurement channels governed by different software modes, removing the need for a physical reference part entirely. ### How It Works Two symmetrical branches of absolute measurement — independent but governed by different software modes. The system samples the reference state at controlled intervals (long enough for full elastic/thermal recovery; short enough to track ambient temperature). Samples are stored and compared in vector mode to ongoing tests, creating a virtual reference. ### Four Measurement Modes 1. **Symmetric differential with virtual reference**: highest immunity to thermal and mechanical noise 2. **Zero-centered symmetric differential**: detects leaks on both sides simultaneously, with absolute measurement safety fallback 3. **Asymmetric differential**: no end-of-test discharge needed; pressure maintained to minimise elasticity phenomena 4. **Absolute decay**: standard single-transducer absolute measurement — maximum simplicity and reliability ### Key Advantages - Zero maintenance: no physical reference part to maintain, age, or replace - Pressure range: -1 to 15 bar - 4 measurement modes in a single instrument - Elimination of drift from reference part mechanical fatigue - Simplicity of absolute systems + sensitivity of differential systems - [Dual Absolute® full technical documentation](https://www.fortest.com/theory-and-resources/dual-absolute-thoery-advantages-case-study/) --- ## Theory and Technical Resources ### What Is Industrial Leak Testing? Industrial leak testing verifies the sealing integrity of a manufactured component or assembly by detecting the presence, location, or rate of fluid (gas or liquid) leakage through defects such as cracks, porosity, or faulty seals. It is a critical quality control step wherever leaking products could cause safety, environmental, or functional failures. ### Leak Testing Methods **Absolute Pressure Decay**: Part pressurised to test pressure, isolated, and pressure drop over time (Δp/Δt) measured with a single high-precision absolute transducer. Simple, robust, suitable for most applications. Best for medium/large volumes; no reference part required. **Differential Pressure Decay**: Pressure difference between part under test and a sealed reference part is measured. High sensitivity due to amplification effect, but requires a reference part and is susceptible to thermal and mechanical drift. **Dual Absolute® (ForTest patent)**: Two independent absolute channels with intelligent software sampling eliminate the reference part while retaining differential sensitivity. Zero maintenance. 4 operating modes. **Flow Test**: Measures volumetric or mass flow rate through a component at a defined pressure differential. Used for orifice calibration, filter testing, valve characterisation. **Mass Flow**: Measures actual mass of gas passing through a component. Accurate for large volumes and high flow rates. ### Key Technical Concepts - **Δp/Δt**: Pressure drop over time — the fundamental measurement parameter in decay leak testing - **Leak rate**: Expressed in cc/min, cc/h, Pa·m³/s, mbar·l/s, or sccm - **Resolution**: Smallest detectable pressure change; typically 0.1 Pa for differential, ~0.2 Pa for absolute above 3 bar - **Metrological traceability**: Calibration chain linking results to national/international standards - **Cp/Cpk**: Process capability indices validating that a test process reliably distinguishes good parts from defective ones - **Dead volume**: Internal pneumatic volume of tester plus connecting tubes — affects cycle time and measurement dynamics - **Thermal drift**: Measurement error from temperature changes during the test cycle - **DOC (Dynamic Offset Compensation)**: Software algorithm tracking and compensating slow measurement drift ### Typical Test Cycle Phases 1. **Fill**: Part pressurised to test pressure 2. **Stabilisation**: Pressure stabilises; thermal and elastic transients decay 3. **Measurement**: Δp/Δt recorded over the measurement window 4. **Exhaust**: Part vented; system resets - [Definition and principles of industrial leak testing](https://www.fortest.com/theory-and-resources/industrial-leak-testing/) - [Leak testing methods and leak rates](https://www.fortest.com/theory-and-resources/air-leak-testing/) - [Glossary of leak testing terms](https://www.fortest.com/glossary/) - [FAQ](https://www.fortest.com/faq/) --- ## Company Information ### Legal Entities **International (fortest.com, fortest.fr, fortest.de, fortest.es)** ForTest Europe Sagl — Via Balestra 12, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland — VAT CHE-375.528.255 **Italy (fortest.it)** ForTest Italia Srl — Via Sibilla Aleramo 7, 41123 Modena, Italy ### History ForTest was founded over 30 years ago in the Italian biomedical district. Its Modena headquarters, in the historic former Maserati facilities, reflects its roots in Italy's manufacturing excellence tradition (Motor Valley / Emilia-Romagna). ### Global Presence ForTest serves manufacturers worldwide. Regional websites: Italian (fortest.it), English (fortest.com), French (fortest.fr), German (fortest.de), Spanish (fortest.es), Polish (fortest.net.pl), Portuguese/Brazil (fortest.net.br), Chinese (fortest.cn). - [Who we are](https://www.fortest.com/who-we-are/) - [News & Events](https://www.fortest.com/news/) - [Video library](https://www.fortest.com/video/) - [Contact ForTest](https://www.fortest.com/contacts/) --- ## Social Media - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fortest - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Fortestgroup - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortest.it/ - X / Twitter: https://x.com/leaktests