a lower die or nest apparatus is described to create a hemming environment that locates and holds a metal panel to a frame using suction in a manner that substantially resists said loads on the panel without damage or deformation . the vacuum nest includes a frame made of a rigid material with an outer work surface and an interior region with a sealed elongated channel shaped to the contour of the metal panel . a polymeric rope is inlayed within a groove formed in the interior region to form the sealed elongated channel . a support member may be formed within the channel by inlaying additional polymeric ropes into grooves formed within the channel . a vacuum source is fluidly coupled with the sealed elongated channel to create a downward force by evacuating the volume of the channel .