kiervorming

Kiervorming is a term used in Dutch technical literature to describe a shaping method in which a material is formed by creating and exploiting a series of controlled cuts or notches (kerfs) to produce a curved or angular profile. The technique enables bending or forming sheet or solid material beyond its ordinary ductility, often reducing the risk of cracking or fracture compared with a single, large bend.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the Dutch words kerf (the cut) and vorming (forming). Kiervorming appears primarily in woodworking, carpentry, and metal fabrication contexts in the Netherlands and Flanders, where kerf-based shaping is discussed as an alternative to material removal or excessive hammering.

Methods: In wood, kerf bending involves making a sequence of closely spaced saw cuts on the inner side of a bend, allowing the veneer, plywood, or laminated stock to bend with a tighter radius. In metal, kerfs can relieve stress before bending or be produced by controlled laser or mechanical scoring to facilitate forming.

Materials and limitations: Suitable materials include plywood, laminated timber, thin metal sheets, and composites. Limitations include a visible kerf pattern, reduced strength along kerf lines, potential tear-out on grain directions, and the need for reinforcement or filling in finished parts.

Applications: Kiervorming is used for curved furniture components, architectural details, boatbuilding, and sculptural forms where gradual shaping and weight savings are desirable.