Method of machining a thin-walled structure

A method of manipulating a thin-walled structure, comprising:

• providing a thin-walled structure in a first unconstrained configuration;
• constraining the thin-walled structure to a first constrained configuration in which a first feature of the thin-walled structure is spatially located relative to a second feature of the thin-walled structure in a predetermined manner, wherein an open volume of the thin-walled structure is constrained to maintain a predetermined open volume shape;
• and
• machining the thin-walled structure to a second constrained configuration in which the first feature of the thin-walled structure remains spatially located relative to the second feature of the thin-walled structure in the predetermined manner;
• and
• wherein constraining the thin-walled structure to the first constrained configuration comprises providing a constrainer into the open volume of the thin-walled structure, the constrainer comprising at least partially solidified cetyl alcohol;
• and
• wherein the constrainer further comprises at least one of a magnetic material and a ferrous material, and the constraining comprises selectively applying a magnetic force to the constrainer.