Fortex Limited was founded in 1972 and continues to have an enviable reputation as a leading European designer, manufacturer and supplier of Production equipment principally for the production of Prototype or low volume quantities of Printed Circuit Boards and Photo Chemically Milled Etched Metal Parts.
Over the years Fortex has applied their Expertise in precision engineering to allow the development of a range of production equipment to meet the needs of customers that are typically Industrial Users including Electronics Manufacturers, Photo Fabrication and Photo Chemical Etching, Educational Establishments teaching Electronics , Sign Makers, Professional Model Kit Manufacturers and Engravers.
Fortex Machinery and Equipment is found worldwide in many Leading Educational Establishments including schools colleges, Universities, Cutting Edge Manufacturing Plants as well as research and development centres. The majority of the equipment is manufactured and assembled in house in the UK based dedicated manufacturing facility.
Due to the companies on going commitment of quality, value and enviable customer service we are able to offer an unrivalled range of products and service into global markets. Fortex exports worldwide both directly and through a network of sales representatives and service agents whom cover most Geographical areas, to communicate and service all of our customers needs.
Fortex Founded
September 12, 1972
Fortex is founded providing various Precision Engineering Services
PCB Manufacturing
September 12, 1973
Fortex start providing a PCB manufacturing Service
Pioneering Innovation: PCB Drilling Machine
September 1, 1976
Development work begins on a PCB Drilling Machine MK1
Fortex PCB Drilling Machine
September 1, 1977
The Fortex PCB Drilling Machine is released for general sale
Pioneering Innovation: Guillotine Shear
September 1, 1978
The Fortex 16.5” Guillotine Shear for cutting PCB Laminates, Plastics, Aluminium and Brass is released
Fortex Mark 2
September 9, 1979
Fortex Mark 2 FX5 PCB Drilling Machine is released
Worldwide Exports
September 9, 1980
Fortex Products are now being exported Worldwide through a network of international agents.
Air-Driven Optical Drilling Machine
October 9, 1980
Fortex launches an Air driven Optical drilling machine with a spindle speed of 19000rpm
PCB Routing Machine
November 9, 1980
Fortex FX5 PCB Routing Machine is released
UK Distributors
December 9, 1980
The largest Electronics Component distributors in the UK start stocking and selling Fortex Products
Type 45 Guillotine
September 9, 1981
Due to changes in the standard PCB sizes the Type 45 Guillotine is launched with a 18” 457mm capacity for cutting Printed Circuit board material
40,000rpm!
September 9, 1982
Fortex expands the range of optical drilling machines with the release of a machine with a spindles speed of 40,000rpm
Pioneering Innovation: Motorised Roller Tinning Machine
September 9, 1984
A Motorised Roller Tinning Machine is developed, designed and released for sale with a range of innovative features such as Digital Temperature Display and Motor/Temperature Interlock
Dry Film Laminator
September 10, 1985
Fortex Launches a 12”, 18” and 24” Dry Film Double sided hot roll Laminator which is well received in the Industry.
Automatic Stacking
September 10, 1986
Automatic Board stacking machine is released.
Pioneering Innovation: Board Drying Machine
September 10, 1987
An automated Board Drying Machine is released for Drying wet processed circuit boards using a unique system for the removal of capillary water trapped in the drilled circuit board holes.
Going faster!
September 10, 1987
Fortex further expands the range of Air Driven Optical Drilling Machine with a spindle speed of 30-80,000. The machine is Electro Pneumatically operated, with a large optical display screen. The mirrors are uniquely adjusted to allow accurate alignment of the drill point to the centre of the screen.
Double Sided Gold Plating
September 10, 1988
A Double Sided Gold Plating machine is released.
Spray Etching Machines
September 10, 1989
Fortex start selling a range of automated Spray Etching Machines Modular in design giving a range different options.
Infra Red Heat
September 10, 1995
Fortex Launches a new range of Series One Laminators with Infra Red Heaters inside the heat rollers.
Eight Inch Guillotine
September 10, 1997
Fortex Designs and Launches a low cost Eight Inch Guillotine shear released for sale for cutting PCB Laminates, Plastics, Aluminium and Brass
Tacky Cleaning
September 10, 2000
Fortex range of Tacky Cleaning rollers are released for sale with specially formulated silicone compound to give exceptional particle transfer supplied with corresponding Tacky Pads to remove debris from the rollers.
Mk2 Laminating
September 10, 2001
Low cost MK2 Double Sided Dry Film Roll Laminating Machine is released with Infared non contact temperature control system
12 Inch Guillotine
September 10, 2005
Fortex Designs and Launches a low cost 12 Inch Guillotine shear for sale for cutting PCB Laminates, Plastics and thin sheet metal.
Photoplotter
September 11, 2005
Fortex Launches a range of low cost raster Photo plotters.
10k Sales
September 10, 2006
To date over 10,000 Type 45 18” PCB Guillotine shears have being sold, along with 7,000 FX5 High speed PCB drilling Machines
40 Years!
September 10, 2012
Fortex celebrates 40 years of Pioneering innovation designing and manufacturing for the PCB and related industries.
Relocation, Relocation
June 19, 2014
Fortex is relocated to a new UK based dedicated manufacturing facility for Manufacturing the Fortex range of Products and ancillaries.
A range of Reflow Ovens are introduced
October 23, 2017
A range of Reflow Ovens are introduced
Surface Mount Prototyping Products
December 2, 2019
A range of Surface mount prototyping products are introduced into the marker with great success including Reflow Ovens, Solder Paste Stencil printer and Pick Place Machines
New UV Exposure Units
February 20, 2021
Start Manufacturing a range of UV Exposure units for the Printed Circuit Board market, Glass Engraving and Metal Etching Industries
50 Years of Trading
September 12, 2022
Fortex Celebrates 50 years of Successful trading designing, manufacturing and producing innovative product for the Printed Circuit Board Industry, Glass and Metal Sectors exporting Worldwide from our UK manufacturing plant.
