1. - To be able to understand a range of different plastic manufacturing processes - To be able to use notes and diagrams to explain the different plastic manufacturing processes
Injection moulding
Extrusion
Line bending
Thermo forming/Vacuum forming (thermo-softing plastics)
Calendaring
Rotational moulding
Blow moulding
Compression forming (thermosetting plastics)

2. - To be able to understand a range of different plastic manufacturing processes - To be able to use notes and diagrams to explain the different plastic manufacturing processes
Line bending
Step 1: The position of the fold is marked with a pencil or marker.
Step 2: The plastic is placed across the rests, above the heating element
Step 3: The strip heater is turned on and the plastic is turned over every 30 seconds - one minute. This stops the heat rising from the element damaging the surface of the plastic.
Step 4: When the plastic becomes flexible it is placed in a ‘jig’. The jig is made to the correct angle, 90 degrees in this case. A square section block is then pressed against the plastic to hold it in position as it cools.

3. - To be able to understand a range of different plastic manufacturing processes - To be able to use notes and diagrams to explain the different plastic manufacturing processes
Thermo forming / Vacuum forming
Step 1  First, a former is made from a material such as a soft wood. The edges or sides are shaped at an angle so that when the plastic is formed over it, the former can be removed easily.
Step 2. The former is placed in a vacuum former.
Step 3. A sheet of plastic (for example, compressed polystyrene) is clamped in position above the mould.
Step 4. The heater is then turned on and the plastic slowly becomes soft and pliable as it heats up. The plastic can be seen to 'warp' and 'distort' as the surface expands.
Step 5. After a few minutes the plastic is ready for ‘forming’ as it becomes very flexible.
Step 6. The heater is turned off and the mould is moved upwards by lifting the lever until it locks in position.
Step 7. The 'vacuum' is turned on and this pumps out all the air beneath the plastic sheet. Atmospheric pressure above the plastic sheet pushes it down on the mould. At this stage the shape of the mould can be clearly seen through the plastic sheet. When the plastic has cooled sufficiently the vacuum pump is switched off.

4. - To be able to understand a range of different plastic manufacturing processes - To be able to use notes and diagrams to explain the different plastic manufacturing processes
Injection moulding

5. - To be able to understand a range of different plastic manufacturing processes - To be able to use notes and diagrams to explain the different plastic manufacturing processes
Extrusion

6. - To be able to understand a range of different plastic manufacturing processes - To be able to use notes and diagrams to explain the different plastic manufacturing processes
Rotational moulding

7. - To be able to understand a range of different plastic manufacturing processes - To be able to use notes and diagrams to explain the different plastic manufacturing processes
Blow moulding

8. - To be able to understand a range of different plastic manufacturing processes - To be able to use notes and diagrams to explain the different plastic manufacturing processes
Calendaring

9. - To be able to understand a range of different plastic manufacturing processes - To be able to use notes and diagrams to explain the different plastic manufacturing processes
Compression forming