Automated Can Crusher
Automated Can Crusher
High School Spring 2019, Group Project
In this project, our group was tasked to create a fully automated aluminum can crusher. The system uses a PLC robotic arm to transport the loaded cans from a hopper to the crushing mechanism where the cans are compressed and then automatically ejected. A simple limit switch was used to detect the number of cans left in the hopper to ensure the program stopped once finished. The same PLC controlled the pneumatic solenoid for the main crushing and ejection piston. I helped design the ejection mechanism, the pneumatic control, and the PLC interface wiring.
Designed for a group semester project with prototype demo to the left and a failure below:
Slow-mo clip of failure during a test run. The soda can fell on its side, causing the piston to eject itself instead of the can. The piston was reattached afterwards and crushing face modified.