A bottom forming station for forming a metal can having a sidewall and base portion is provided. The bottom forming station comprises a punch sleeve. The punch sleeve comprises a body having a sidewall that defines a bore for securely receiving a punch nose. The punch sleeve sidewall has a first section that corresponds to the shape of at least a portion of a beverage can base. The punch sleeve sidewall has a second section that corresponds to at least a portion of a beverage can sidewall profile. The second surface is integrally coupled with the first surface. The punch sleeve sidewall has a third section that is adapted to communicate with a punch nose and form a slip line that has a junction area in a non-active area. The third section is integrally coupled with the first and second sections. A bottom forming station also comprises a punch nose. The punch nose includes a body having a sidewall. The sidewall has a first section that corresponds to the shape of at least a portion of a beverage can base. The punch nose sidewall has a second section that is integrally coupled with the first section. The punch nose is mechanically coupled within the bore of the punch sleeve with the second surface of the punch nose in communication with the third section of the punch sleeve sidewall such that a slip line is formed with a junction area in a non-active area.

A redraw die for a can body maker incorporates an undercut sidewall, a grooved face and a reduced radius at the intersection between the grooved face and the sidewall. The undercut side wall is positioned proximate to the grooved face so as to permit a cup positioned over the redraw die to flex into an ovoid shape without pinching or binding against the side of the redraw sleeve. These features help prevent the formation of wrinkles when the cup is drawn and ironed in the body maker.

Aerosol cans, more particularly, aluminum aerosol cans made from disks of aluminum coil feedstock, are provided. A method for necking aerosol cans of a series 3000 aluminum alloy is also provided. The method prevents the cans from sticking in the necking dies and produces a can with a uniquely shaped profile. The aluminum aerosol cans that are produced have the attributes of strength and quality, while being produced at a cost that is competitive with steel aerosol cans.

An apparatus and method for forming a can end having an annular ridge and a central panel and a can body with a can bottom is provided that exhibits reduced wrinkling in the material used to form the can end and can body. The method of the invention uses a two step doming process wherein material is first drawn or stretched and then held by a punch core ring and then further drawn, stretched or domed and then held by a punch core. The apparatus and method of the invention also include a lower piston located above an upper pressure sleeve and radially outward from a punch core ring wherein the lower piston has a bore and the lower piston, punch core ring and upper pressure sleeve define a gap to which pressurized gas may be supplied through the bore to selectively axially actuate the punch core ring.