Forming and moulding
Most materials need specialist tools and equipment to shape and form them. casing A removable outer layer of a product. and housingAn exterior case or enclosure. for electronic and mechanical products are shaped and formed to fit and protect products, making them more practical and aesthetically pleasing.
- vacuum forming Warmed sheet plastic is sucked against a mould to give it shape. - plastic casings can be vacuum formed over a form giving a thin casing that an electronic circuit can be hidden in
- injection mouldingMolten material forced into a mould. - molten plastic is injected into a mould giving an accurate form that can vary in thickness, ensures pieces fit together accurately, and can encase the electrical or mechanical parts, such as in childrenâs toys
- castingA method of producing a form by pouring molten liquid into a mould. - mechanical products, such as engine parts, can be made from metal and are formed by pouring molten metal into a mould to make a solid, strong and accurate shape
- bendingA bending force is applied at an angle causing a material to be in compression and tension at the same time. - simple shapes can be formed by bending sheet metal or heating and bending plastic to provide a casing for products such as fuse boxes
- drilling - printed circuit boards (PCBs) require drilled holes for the components to fit in to, which can be done by hand using a pillar drill, but is more commonly done through automation using a computer numerical controlled (CNC)The use of computers to control cutting and shaping machines and a key computer aided manufacture (CAM) technique. machine
- 3D printing - using new technology, computer aided design (CAD)The process of creating a 2D or 3D design using computer software. and hardwearing plastic, complex shapes can be produced
- laser cutting - accurate shapes can be cut and engraved, which can be utilised to produce casings or a decoration