forming

In technology, a process similar to moulding. A former is usually a solid shape around which a material is shaped. Examples include vacuum forming, drape forming, and line bending. Vacuum forming involves clamping a piece of sheet plastic, heating it until it becomes plastic, and then lowering it over a former as the air is drawn out from underneath, creating a vacuum. The atmospheric pressure above forces the plastic to take the shape of the former. Drape forming uses a similar technique except that the former is raised up to meet the plastic. Line bending is used to shape plastic materials along a line, using a strip heater. The plastic softens along the line of the heat. It is then folded around a straight-edged former, held in place, and left to set.