Patent ID: 8282066

Claim:
A method for using a device to support a part, the device having a base plate, at least one deformable sealed enclosure filled with particles and connected to a vacuum source, the deformable sealed enclosure having an outer surface and a concave inner surface, a chamber defined by the concave inner surface of the at least one deformable enclosure and at least a portion of the base plate, the chamber also connected to the vacuum source, and a flexible body disposed within the chamber of the at least one deformable sealed enclosure the method comprising the following steps: applying a vacuum from the vacuum source to the chamber in such a way as to collapse the deformable sealed enclosure and crush the flexible body removing the vacuum from at least the chamber so that the flexible expands and pushes the deformable sealed enclosure into contact with the part, and applying a vacuum to the deformable sealed enclosure ( 3 ) so as to stiffen the deformable sealed enclosure.