A retainer apparatus and method for replacing a damaged first aperture thread in a base material, the apparatus includes a first annular element having a threaded inner surface and a frictional outer surface that are co-axial to one another, the outer surface having a slip fit with a second aperture in the base material. When the casing is moved from the first position to the second position, the casing stores a restoring force to provide an automatic restoring function. The method includes determining a manufacturing feasible region of the work piece satisfying one or more predetermined manufacturing requirements including accessibility of welding components. Input to effect minimization and maximization operations can be entered in one or more gesture capture regions associated with the screens. A method for preparing the same, a polymer powder, and the use thereof as a thickening agent for cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions are also described.