Draadvormende

Draadvormende is a term from Dutch that describes the craft and processes involved in shaping wire into predetermined forms. It encompasses bending, coiling, twisting, looping, and combining wires with other components to produce functional or decorative shapes. The term can refer to the activity itself as well as to a person who performs it, though more common is to specify the practitioner as a draadvormer or wire-former.

Etymology: From draad (wire) and vormen (to form), with the -ende suffix indicating ongoing action or an agent.

Techniques: Methods range from manual bending with pliers and mandrels to automated forming using specialized wire-forming equipment. Common operations include creating bends with controlled radii, forming coils and springs, making loops and jump rings, and attaching components by soldering or crimping. Material handling must consider wire diameter, material properties, and surface finish. Safety is important due to sharp edges and tool use.

Materials and applications: Wires of steel, copper, aluminum, brass, and various alloys are shaped for jewelry, decorative hardware, electronics connectors, and small mechanical parts. In jewelry, draadvormende is used to craft components such as rings, clasps, and wire-wrapped elements.

History: The practice has ancient roots in metalworking, with early artisans bending and twisting wires by hand. Industrialization introduced machine-based wire forming, enabling higher volume and repeatability, while modern prototyping often uses CNC-bending and flexible tooling.

See also: Wire forming, metalworking, jewelry making.