Abstract: In a ram press for manufacturing shells for can ends, a relatively flat shell is transferred from a tooling station to a destination. The shell is supported at the first station from the upper tooling work surface, from which it is propelled in edgewise fashion into a transfer path. The transfer path is at least partially enclosed and extends from an entrance adjacent the first station tooling toward the shell destination. An air assist mechanism is provided for acting upon the shell moving into and along the path, and includes an outlet conduit connected to a supply of air under pressure. The conduit includes an open outlet end. A valve is disposed the outlet conduit for controlling flow of air along said conduit. The outlet conduit is disposed with its outlet end at one side of the entrance to the transfer path, with the end positioned in a direction into the path, whereby air is directed along said path in the direction of movement of the object. The air facilitates movement of the shell along the path.