Aluminum cans are primarily manufactured using a process that forms the body and base from a single piece of metal, to which a separate lid is then attached.
Understanding the Two-Piece Can Process
The most common method for making aluminum beverage cans is the "two-piece" process. As the name suggests, the finished can consists of two main parts: the body (which includes the base) and the lid.
Here's a breakdown based on the standard process:
- Body Creation: The can body begins as a flat disc, typically made of aluminum. This disc is then subjected to significant force and reshaping (a process called drawing and ironing). This reforms the metal into a cylinder with an integral, closed bottom.
- Lid Attachment: A separate piece of metal forms the lid (or end). This lid is specifically designed to fit the top of the can body. It is attached using a specialized technique called a double seam, which creates a strong, airtight closure by interlocking layers of metal from both the can body and the lid.
- Key Components:
- Body: Formed from a single aluminum disc, becoming the cylinder and base.
- End/Lid: A separate piece attached to the top.
This method is efficient for mass production and is widely used for beverage cans. While other types of cans exist, such as three-piece cans (which have a separate body seam), the process described here, starting from a disc to create a cylinder with an integral end and then attaching a lid with a double seam, is characteristic of modern aluminum beverage can manufacturing.
For a deeper dive into can design differences, resources comparing two-piece versus three-piece cans can provide more context on variations in manufacturing methods.
