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      Deforming manufacturing processes for timbers

      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

      • Bending jig - a tool used to guide and control the shape of a material as it is bent

      • 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.
      In timber deforming processes, a is a solid object that a material is manipulated around to create a specific shape.

      Correct Answer: former

      Q5.
      Match the timber deforming process to its correct definition.

      Correct Answer:vacuum pressing,a vacuum bag removes air to shape timber over a former

      a vacuum bag removes air to shape timber over a former

      Correct Answer:laminating,layers of thin wood glued together and clamped into a curved shape

      layers of thin wood glued together and clamped into a curved shape

      Correct Answer:kerfing,partial cuts to allow timber to bend without snapping

      partial cuts to allow timber to bend without snapping

      Correct Answer:steam bending,timber is softened using heat and moisture, then bent around a former

      timber is softened using heat and moisture, then bent around a former

      Q6.
      Put the following steps of the steam bending process into the correct order:

      1 - timber is placed in a steam box to soften the fibres
      2 - timber is removed from the steam chamber
      3 - timber is clamped into a bending jig to hold its shape
      4 - timber is left to dry and cool in its new shape

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