Formátech

Formátech is a term used in design and manufacturing to describe technologies and processes that shape, form, or mold materials into functional parts and products. It emphasizes the integration of form design with processing methods, drawing on materials science, computer-aided design, and digital fabrication.

The scope includes traditional forming processes such as metal forming, thermoforming, injection molding, and extrusion, as well as contemporary approaches that couple forming with additive and subtractive methods. It also encompasses digital tools like parametric and generative design, simulation, and sensor-informed tooling that optimize form quality and material efficiency.

In practice, formátech covers industries such as automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, and medical devices, where complex shapes, lightweighting, and material performance are critical. It is used to shorten development cycles by enabling virtual prototyping and rapid tooling, and to enable customized or small-batch production.

Challenges include standardization of terminology, measurement of geometric complexity, and integration with existing supply chains. Costs for specialized equipment and skilled labor can be high, and environmental considerations demand energy efficiency and material recycling. Proponents argue it advances design freedom while maintaining manufacturability.

The term is most commonly found in Portuguese- and Spanish-language contexts, but its usage is spreading in international technical literature as a catch-all for forming-oriented manufacturing innovations.