an apparatus and method is described to form and join a short flange on a periphery of a sheet material supported in a nest . the apparatus includes a positional pressure forming steel assembly located on the end of a robotic arm . the ppfs assembly includes a hub slidably supported in a cylinder . at least one tool steel is located on an extension from the hub . a biasing element interposed between the cylinder and the hub enables precise control of the forming pressure by defining a tool path control program which maintains a relative relationship between the ppfs assembly and the nest .