Forming, or cold bending, is the process of bending plate or sheet steel using hydraulic pressure and high-strength tooling. The type of tooling determines the shape of bend in the plate or sheet. SteelMart uses forming to make custom dimensional parts that are not available in a standard stock size. SteelMart operates six press brakes within the plant. We can form light gauge steel up to 1 – 1/2″ carbon steel plate.