The invention relates to a forming device (10) for plastically deforming a component (54), in particular a sheet component, with a top part (12) of the forming device (10) and with a bottom part (14) of the forming device (10), between which the component (54) is fixable and deformable by a relative movement (20) between the bottom part (14) and the top part (12), with a machine rack (22) accommodating the top part (12) and the bottom part (14), which bounds a working area (28) of the forming device (10), in which the component (54) is deformable, at least in certain areas, and with a sensor device (40) for non-contact monitoring the working area (28) at least in certain areas by means of radiation (42) capable of being emitted by the sensor device (40).