Foldforming is a new system using sheet metal to create surfaces and three-dimensional forms quickly. Foldforming uses the metal's plasticity and ductility and hand-working methods to rapidly make hundreds of complex forms resembling chased, constructed, and soldered shapes from single sheets of metal without soldering. Thin materials may be used, creating light, volumetric objects and surfaces. Radical changes in cross section are possible in three to five minutes. The tools are simple: fingers, hammers, mallets, anvil, vise, and rolling mill. It has been recognized as a completely new approach to metal working by the Rolex Awards for Enterprise Committee and the head of the British Museum Laboratory. This paper outliunes the system and gives examples of technical procedures. Hints of how industry can utilize this approach are addressed. The shapes and forms model natural shapes and have relationships with natural laws of form generation, which has implications for other areas of science and insight into materials.

Author: Charles Lewton-Brain