An apparatus and method configured for manufacturing an aircraft part from formable material. The apparatus may include one or more rigid forming components onto which the formable material is placed and between which non-flange portions of the formable material may be compressed, and at least one inflatable component that, when expanded by inflation, presses flange portions of the formable material against at least one of the rigid forming components. The inflation component(s) may be arranged in any configuration for forming the formable material into C-shaped channels, single L-shaped channels, or opposing Z-shaped channels. Once pressed between the rigid forming components and/or the inflated inflatable components, the formable material may be heated for forming according to the particular formable material used.