Formech develop close working relationships with their customer's in the education sector

The Customer – Education – Design and Technology
Departments, Art and Fashion Colleges

Formech has over 3,500 vacuum forming machines operating in schools, colleges and universities in the UK and around the world.

The Formech range of manual vacuum forming machines is ideal for use in an educational environment. The very same machines which we sell into Industry are also used by schools, colleges and universities for a wide range of courses from Primary to Degree level. Through constant research and the supply of machinery to a broad spectrum of industries, we are able to keep schools, colleges and universities at the forefront of technology.

The Challenge

To design a range of machines that are robust, reliable and safe for the education environment.

The Solution

Working with a number of the Design and Technology teachers Formech designed a range of machines that met all the requirements within an affordable budget. We have also developed a comprehensive educational web page to support teachers and pupils.

Formech Partnership

Formech are proud to work in partnership with the London College of Fashion to promote the vacuum forming process in a creative and exciting way.

Educational Case Study 2:
Arts & Education

The Customer

Trestle Theatre Company is an internationally renowned arts organisation, which creates and tours theatrical productions. Trestle aims to produce thought-provoking and engaging physical and visual theatre, incorporating music, choreography and new writing.

In addition to professional productions, Trestle also has a very well established education programme and produces mask sets as a tool for drama work, for use in schools and drama groups all over the world.

The Challenge

Trestle approached Formech looking for a solution to assist in production of their extensive range of masks. As well as supplying masks produced on their own premises, Trestle also offers workshops where masks are produced off-site, then explored and used in a performance context.

The Solution

A visit from the Formech team to Trestle helped establish the company's precise requirements. Existing methods were time consuming and so the need for a flexible alternative was established. Formech's solution was to propose a small desk top machine to allow Trestle and study groups to form a wide range of masks in house and ensure demand levels could be met whilst maintaining flexibility and control of their designs and not relying on outside vendor.

The Results

Formech's technology has helped Trestle Theatre Company achieve a fast, versatile and economical solution for the production of its complex visual work and ensures their production team maintain a competitive edge and a high level of customer service.

They are able to provide a workshop environment for groups to produce their own masks.

The method is quick, clean and allows a mask to be made in a fraction of the time it takes using other methods, such as papier mache. The result is a smooth, durable mask.

As production increased Trestle followed up with the purchase of a second machine to add to their existing 300X.

Using a Formech vac former to produce masks, particularly the education sets has proved to be ideal. There are no drying times, as with other materials such as latex or papier-mâché, and you can reproduce masks from moulds efficiently. It is also useful when experimenting with mask designs as you can pull a mask to see if it works, then go back and adapt the mould accordingly.
Claire Elcombe, Mask Maker – Trestle Theatre Company