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      Deforming manufacturing processes for textiles

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain and compare small-scale and industrial deforming processes.

      Key learning points

      1. Deforming involves using force to change the shape of a material.
      2. Small-scale production methods can be used to deform materials.
      3. Deforming materials on a larger scale require different techniques.

      Keywords

      • Deform - a change in the shape of materials when they are put under physical pressure or stress

      • Force - a push or pull that can affect the movement, direction, or shape of an object

      • Automation - use of technology to perform tasks

      • Former - a solid object that a material is manipulated around to create a specific shape

      Common misconception

      The same tools and methods are used for both small-scale and industrial manufacturing.

      The scale of production heavily influences tool choice, speed, accuracy and repeatability.

      Teacher tip

      Try to organise a small practical based on any of the processes mentioned in this lesson to fully embed learning.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Put these materials in order from most flexible to least flexible.

      1 - rubber
      2 - steel
      3 - glass

      Q2.
      Which of the following is a working/mechanical property of a material?

      colour
      Correct answer: hardness
      density
      transparency

      Q3.
      What does 'industrial' typically refer to in manufacturing?

      small, handcrafted products made by a single person
      Correct answer: large-scale production using machinery and technology
      purely artistic or sculptural items
      activities done at home by a hobbyist

      Q4.
      Machine tools make production faster and more consistent than hand tools.

      Correct answer: true
      false

      Q5.
      The ability of a material to resist breaking when a force is applied is called .

      Correct Answer: toughness, tough

      Q6.
      Match each material with its primary working/mechanical property:

      Correct Answer:rubber,elasticity

      elasticity

      Correct Answer:steel,toughness

      toughness

      Correct Answer:copper,electrical conductivity

      electrical conductivity

      Correct Answer:glass,hardness

      hardness

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Shaping materials using a force is called .

      Correct Answer: deforming, deform

      Q2.
      What is 'automation' in manufacturing?

      the use of recycled materials in production
      Correct answer: the use of machines or technology to perform tasks
      the process of making products by hand only
      the design of mass-produced goods

      Q3.
      Match the action to its force:

      Correct Answer:opening a jar lid,torque (twist)

      torque (twist)

      Correct Answer:sliding a box across the floor,push

      push

      Correct Answer:tugging on a rope,pull

      pull

      Q4.
      A solid object that a material is manipulated around to create a specific shape is called a .

      Correct Answer: former

      Q5.
      Match the process to its correct definition:

      Correct Answer:pleating,fabric is folded into even sections and often heat- or stitch-set

      fabric is folded into even sections and often heat- or stitch-set

      Correct Answer:gathering,fabric is sewn with parallel lines and pulled to create bunching

      fabric is sewn with parallel lines and pulled to create bunching

      Correct Answer:ruching,multiple rows of gathered stitching for texture and decoration

      multiple rows of gathered stitching for texture and decoration

      Correct Answer:smocking,decorative stitching is added to gathered fabric to create stretch

      decorative stitching is added to gathered fabric to create stretch

      Correct Answer:blocking,wet fabric (often felt) is shaped over a former and dried

      wet fabric (often felt) is shaped over a former and dried

      Correct Answer:compression moulding,foam is shaped using heat and pressure

      foam is shaped using heat and pressure

      Q6.
      Put the steps of the felt blocking process into the correct order.

      1 - wet the felt to soften it
      2 - shape the felt over the former
      3 - pin or secure the felt in place
      4 - allow the felt to dry completely
      5 - remove the felt from the former and trim excess

      To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Deforming manufacturing processes for textiles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...