This is one of the fundamentals of glassblowing, referring to shaping heated glass with mechanical force. With respect to bead making, very little force can be tolerated, but gravity certainly is used to influence the shape of a bead. There are several techniques used to manipulate glass that are forms of bending, such as raking.

A process used to produce bent glass in which a plate of glass is placed in a horizontal mould and then slowly heated at approximately 600°C, at which the glass softens sufficiently and takes the shape of the mould. The glass is then slowly cooled to avoid any internal stress.

Changing the shape of metal sheet using successive pairs of forming rollers. Bending does not change the thickness of the metal except at the bend radius where a slight thinning occurs. Generally applied to forming it is the creation of a formed feature by angular displacement of a sheet metal workpiece.

the property of being bent or deflected

movement that causes the formation of a curve

A force to alter an existing shape, as in curving a straight shape or vice versa. A reason rebar is set in foundations.

A mechanical process, by which rollers, bending shoes or mandrels are used to bend a curved section on metal tubes, rods or other shapes.

Bending is caused by a combination of forces that cause one part of a material to be in compression and another part to be in tension.