The manufacturing processes used in the making of snowshoes differ greatly, depending on the main material used. Wooden frames require a hard wood to be steamed or ‘boiled’ in order to make it suitable for shaping. For aluminium snowshoes, the metal arrives in shoe factories in the form of pre-cut lengths of tubing. Each length of aluminium is checked to ensure there are no flaws that may compromise the strength and durability of the snowshoes. After these visual checks, the length of aluminium is inserted into a machine, known as a bender. Each machine is specifically designed for the size and shape of snowshoe required. The machine grips the metal length firmly as a lever is depressed which exerts force and bends the aluminium into the shape required. Some of the older machines used are manually operated and require a worker to provide the force by muscle-power alone. The ‘bent’ aluminium can then be removed from the machine and a more exact shaping of the metal can be undertaken. At this point, the frame may be ready for the fitting of the decking, however, many shoes will be coated in powder at this point. The frame of the shoe is electrically charged and a fine mist of powdered plastic is sprayed on to it. The frame is then heated and the plastic melts and sticks permanently to the frame.