e-ISSN: 2582-5208

International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science

( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:02/February-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com

DESIGN MODIFICATION OF ALUMINIUM CAN CRUSHER

Sibete.G*1, Eyitemi.T*2
*1Doctor, Department Of Mechanical Engineering, Niger Delta University,
Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
*2Engineer, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
It has been observed that aluminium cans occupy a large volume of space in garbages at public place, so
recycling of these cans is necessary in other to keep the environment neat and tidy. This work shows in detail
the design modification of aluminium can crusher; from crushing one can at a time to crushing two cans at a
time. This machine uses a slider crank mechanism to operate and this report shows the step by step process on
how the fabrication, the calculation and the assemble is done. It also shows the theories behind it and the
materials used in the process.
Keywords: Design, Modification, Crusher, Can, Aluminium.
I. INTRODUCTION
This work in detail contains the Design Modification of Aluminium Can Crusher; it is an environment friendly
project to help keep the environment neat and free of empty aluminium cans. To keep the environment neat
and free of empty aluminium cans, we plan to make the Design Modification of a Manually Operated Aluminium
Can Crusher that crushes two empty aluminium soft/alcoholic drink cans at a time using the slider crank
mechanism.
Aluminium Can Crusher is a mechanical machine used in the industries to compress empty aluminium
soft/alcoholic drink cans in order to minimize their volume before they are disposed off. Aluminium Can
Crushers are fabricated for the purpose of reducing volumes in empty aluminium soft/alcoholic drink cans to
create space inside a recycling bin. Empty aluminium soft/alcoholic drink cans in their original volume occupy
space in the recycling bin and also has high transportation cost when it’s time to take them to the recycling
plant, so the use of Aluminium Can squeezer makes it easier by reducing the volume of the empty aluminium
soft/alcoholic drink cans to save space inside the recycling bin and to save transportation cost. A Manually
Operated Can Squeezer uses hand instead of foot to operate.
The foot was first used in the recycling of empty aluminium soft/alcoholic drink cans. People first thought how
empty aluminium soft/alcoholic drink cans in their original volume occupy so much space in the recycle bin
and how it’s also expensive to transport them in their original volumes to the recycling plant. The idea of
stumping (using foot to compress) on empty aluminium soft/alcoholic drink cans with foot was initiated and
was widely used around the globe. After a while people discovered it was slow, it wasn’t reducing enough
volume and stumping (using foot to compress) on empty aluminium soft/alcoholic drink cans caused a lot of
pain to the foot, so this led to the manufacturing of the Manually Operated Aluminium Can Crusher. The
Aluminium Can Crusher works as a collection of different types of solid components put together in a manner
that movement of one component leads to limitation and predicates movement to others recognised as
merchinery. In 2012 Elfasakhan.A, et.al. Presented a design of a can crusher which crushes a single can at a time
and it comprises of a hardware and software. The hardware includes mechanical structure, servomotor, light
sensor, microcontroller and pneumatic framework. The pneumatic framework has been utilized rather than an
electrical motor since electrical motor with the required specification (torque and horsepower) is costly. The
software is the maestro for working and controlling diverse framework components.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
In 2013 More.S,R, et.al. Presented a survey on the study of jaw plates, jaw crusher which tells us that can
squeezers are main apparatus size reduction machine utilized in mechanical, metal related industries and in
metallurgy that is able to squeeze distinct kinds of hard and soft materials. This paper gives the foundation of
squeezer swing jaw plates and kinematics and dynamic analysis are done to improve the design.

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 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:02/February-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
In 2014 Saif.S et.al. Proposed a paper on can squeezer that is completely automatic utilizing pneumatics and
microcontroller sensor.
In 2014 KhanapureL R., et.al. Came out with a paper that provides squeezing act in the two strokes of a can
crusher hence making it a double stroke can squeezer, it provides automatic dropping of squeezed empty cans
and on its own collects the unsqueezed cans and squeeze to keep the squeezing area empty of human
interference hence giving safety to the user.
In 2016 Kumar N et.al. Presented a paper about construction of mechanical squeezer that would offer
assistance to squeeze the utilized paint cans, punched metal plates, and juice cans . The squeezer is intended to
function on a crank and slotted lever machinery where the electrical operating power is obtained from an
electric motors. This Crusher crushes the cans effectively and the manufacturing as well as the maintenance
cost is very less which is suitable for small recycling plants.
In 2016 Patel B.A et.al. Came out with a paper on the design and construction of self can squeezer and selling
machine utilizing cam and follower machinery. Complete operation of crushing is automatic; no physical
monitoring is required in the whole operation. Vending machinery is made known in project selling and to
cause awareness.
In 2016 Wakchaure C et.al. Came out with a paper on the design and construction of self-operated can squeezer
utilizing two fold (double) performing cylinder for pneumatic systems.
In 2017 Shinde. S, et.al. Carried out the study of the current Can Crushers and the various mechanisms
employed. Few technological areas such as size minimization, robust design were effectively employed. In all,
the work was so mush in terms of construction and design operation technically. The present original model
minimizes the size of cans by 65%. Self-feed machinery has challenge as a result of speed that requires some
refinement.
III. METHODOLOGY
The method of achieving the objectives of the research is explained in this chapter. It comprises of material
selection, criteria for material selection, design calculation, assembly of manual can crusher, fabrication.
3.1 Selection of Materials
The selection of materials for the can crusher is done on the basis of the points below:
3.1.1 Criteria for material selection
 Strength capacity
 Weight of material
 Availability of materials in the market
3.1.2 Selected materials
The selected materials for this can crusher are;
1. Steel pipes – these are for the main frame.
2. Chains – these are for power transmission.
3. Sprocket – this is also for power transmission.
4. Plumber block / pillow block bearing– this is a support for rotating shaft.
Steel pipes
These are long hollow pipes used for different purposes. They are produced by different methods which are
welded or seamless pipe. In both methods raw steel is to begin its form into a better useable frame. It is at that
point formed to a pipe-shape tube by extending the steel to a tube that is seamless or constraining the edges
into one then merging them by welding. The primary method of producing steel pipes was presented within the
early 1800’s and they have consistently advanced into the present day forms we use now. Each year, tons of
steel pipes in millions are produced and its flexibility makes it the foremost frequently used item formed by the
steel industry. It has a comparatively low point of melting, considerable fluidity, castability, and excellent
machine ability, high resistance to deformation and wear resistance. It is now an engineering material that has
a large run of usage and application. Steel pipes are utilized in machines, pipes and automotive parts such as

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 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:02/February-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
gear boxes, cylinder head and cylinder blocks. It has a very high resistance to weakening and destruction to any
oxidation form.

Fig 3.1: A steel pipe

Chains
These are a set of flexible links, made from metals; it is typically used for restraining forces, holding objects
together and for the transmission of mechanical power. There are three categories of chain but we would be
talking about the power transmission chain. Chain drive is a mechanical operating system where dissimilar
kinds of chains are used for the transmission of power or movement of things. Chain drive is generally utilized
in a position the distance in between the power generated and where the power is transmitted to be is short. It
is a major advantage that there is no slippage and the speed ratio of a chain drive remains constant while in the
case of a belt drive the presence of slippage changes the speed ratio. Chain uses the assistance of a pin to
connect its links. The chains are run over by a wheel named sprocket, this sprocket has a number of teethes
surrounding its circumference to hold the chain, but not all chains need a sprocket to run over.

Fig 3.2: A chain

Sprocket
A sprocket is likewise identified as a chain wheel. It is works with a chain. In general, a sprocket is any wheel
upon which radial protrusions holds the chain going over it. It is differentiated from the gear such that
sprockets do not ever merge together directly and vary from the pulley such that sprockets do have teeth but
pulleys remain smooth. It is used in bicycles, cars, bikes and other machineries whether to send rotational
motion in between two shafts in which the gears are not suitable either to give straight movement to a track
sprocket which are of various design. Sprockets typically do not have a flange. Chains and sprockets are
likewise utilized for power transfer from a shaft to the other when there is no slippage required, sprocket
chains are utilized in place of ropes and/or belts and sprocket. wheel instead of pulleys. They may be run on a
high speed, then, some kinds of chains are also formed to be without noise when at high speed, tape etc. They
may run on high speed, then some kinds of chains are also formed to be without noise on high speed, tape etc.

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 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:02/February-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com

Fig 3.3: A sprocket

Plumber block
A Plummer block also identified as a pillow block or a bearing block is a pedestal (support platform) used to
support a rotating shaft using compatible bearings and various accessories. The housing material of a Plummer
block is mainly cast iron or cast steel. A spike block can have a bearing and one of different kinds of components
rolling, consisting of a ball, tapered roller, cylindrical roller, spherical roller or metal or composite ring. The
primary use of a Plummer block is to mount a bearing that allows its outer ring to be securely fixed while also
allowing the inner ring to rotate.

Fig 3.4: A plumber block

3.2 Design calculation
Stroke length (Ls) = 250mm
Cylinder diameter (Dc) = 80mm
Piston diameter (Dp) = 75mm
Clearance = 5mm
Crank radius (r) = 95mm
Connecting rod length (L) = 150mm
Piston mass (M) = 4kg
Crank speed (N) = 2RPS
Hence the crank speed = 2 × 60 = 120RPM
Assume the pressure on the piston = 2 × π × N/60
= 2 × π ×120/60
= 12.57rad/s
Shaft design
Lever length = 250mm
Torque (T) = Force × Lever length
= 250 × 250
= 62500
Speed (N) = 180rpm
Power (P) = (2 × π × N × T)/60
= (2 × π ×180 × 62.5)/60
=1.17kw
Driver teeth (t1) = 44

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 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:02/February-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
Driver teeth (t2) = 22
Speed of the driver (N1) = 180
Speed of the driven (N2) = ?
N1/N2 = t2/t1
180/N2 = 22/44
N2 = 180/ (22/44)
N2 = 360rpm
Power (P) = (2 × π × N2 × T)/60
= (2 × π × 360 × 62.5)/60
= 2.35kw
Chain design
Diameter (D1) = 222mm
Speed (N1) =180rpm
Chain velocity = (π × D1 × N1)/6000
= (π × 222 × 180)/6000
= 20.91mm/s
3.3 Assembly of a manual can crusher
First fabricate the frame. Mount the driver and driven shafts with previouslyattached sprockets on the frame at
the required centre distance. Connect them with chains. Now connect the driven shaft with the one end crank
levers and the other end to one end of the connecting rod. Now this connecting rod is connected to the piston
which slides in the cylinder. Attach a lever to the driver shaft with a required length.
3.4 Fabrication process
After designing phase, fabrication processes take place. These processes are about using selected materials t o
make the product based on the design and the design calculations.
IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Performance Test
For the Performance test, twenty cans were collected and crushed. The table below shows the result of the
performance test for four types of cans.
Table 1: Result of Performance Test
EMPTY
LENGTH (MM) MASS (G) LENGTH (MM) MASS (G)
ALUMINIUM
(UNCRUSHED) (UNCHRUSHED) (CRUSHED) (CHRUSHED)
CAN
Maltina 212.5 14 64.2 13.2
Pure Heaven 225 19 67.1 13.5
Coca cola 212.5 14 63.4 13.3
Amstel Malt 212.5 14 63.7 13.6

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 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:02/February-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com

Fig 4.1: Uncrushed can

To find out the required force to squeeze an empty can to 70%, We accept the assistance of a device, we accept
4 plates of mass 5kg to squeeze the can so that, the required total mass = 5 × 4 =20 kg

Fig 4.2: Crushed can using the constructed can crusher

4.2 Result
Table 2: Comparison of different parameter for single and double manually operated Can Crusher
PARAMETERS SINGLE CAN CRUSHER DOUBLE CAN CRUSHER
Torque Transmission Low High
Volume reduction of
70% 75%
cans
Number of cans
10 20
crushed in one minute
Time consumption
More Less
during the operation
Cost of fabrication Less High
Efficiency Less High
Human effort Required Required
4.3 Discussion
From the table and images above, it is seen that the types of cans vary in length and mass but the ultimate aim
of volume reduction of up to 70% is still achieved.
V. CONCLUSION
From the previous chapters and the table above, the following conclusions can be drawn after a critical analysis
of this study has been done:
 This modified can crusher has a higher and more efficient volume reduction solution for empty aluminum
soft/alcohol drink cans.
 This modified can crusher crushes two cans at the same time and can crush up to 20 cans in 1 minute.

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 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:02/February-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
 This design can minimize the size of an empty aluminum soft/alcohol drink can to 70% with less energy
consumption
VI. REFERENCES
[1] Elfasakhany.A,et.al (2012), Design and Formation of Economic Free Beverage Cans Squeezer,
Mechanical Engineering and Technology International Journal, 3(3),107-122.
[2] KhanapureLaxmikantR.,et.al, (2014), The Double Stroke Can Squeezer, Recent Development in
Engineering and Technology International Journal, 4(4),17-21.
[3] Kumar.N, et.al. (2016), Mechanical Squeezing Machine Design, Engineering and Technology
International Research Journal, 3(1), 921-926.
[4] More.S.R, et.al. (2013), A Careful Review on the investigation of jaw plates of jaw squeezer, Modern
Engineering Research, International Journal 3(1),518-522.
[5] Patel.B.A, et.al. (2016), Design And Construction of Self-Operated Can Squeezer And Selling Machine,
Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering International Journal, 6(10),59-62.
[6] Saif.S, et.al. (2014), Completely Self-Operated Can Squeezer, Mechanical and Industrial Technology
International Journal, 2(2),155-159.
[7] Shinde.A.S, et.al. (2017), Design and Fabrication of Aluminium Tin Can Crusher, International
Conference on Ideas, Impact and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering, 5(6),39-44.
[8] Wakchaure.C, et.al.(2016), Design and Construction of Self-Operated Can Squeezer, Imperial Journal of
Interdisciplinary Research, 2(7),217-223.
[9] Khanapure R. et al. (2015), The Daul stroke Can Crusher, IJRDET, Vol. 4, Issue 4.

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