CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

In literature review, can crusher history, various types of can crusher, advantages and
disadvantages of can crusher.

2.1 History of Can Crusher

Jesse M. Wright was the man who invented the aluminum can crusher in 1937, but he did
not get it patented until August 30, 1938. The mechanical can crusher`s purpose is to reduce the
size of the can so as to save space and allow for a storage of more cans and for recycling purposes.
Can recycling is very important part of any family and community recycling program. Aluminium
recycling is one of the easiest things you can do to help the environment. Recycling of can began
a long ago and started to become common place back in early 1970.

2.2 Features of Can Crusher

Cans Can crushers are powered by different methods, but all share similar features. Cans
are deposited or placed into a chamber outfitted with a device that crushes the cans. The device
can be a disk that smashes the cans from above, a metal unit that gives the cans a two-sided "hug"
to crush them, or a massive mechanical chamber that crushes cans on an assembly line.

2.3 Types of can crusher

The main aim of a can crusher is to crush used cans to reduce their size ultimately saving
storage space for waste. While they are different types of can crushers with varying components
to fit their design and purpose, there are certain features that are similar across all of them. These
features include a crushing mechanism which allows for a can to be fed into the crusher and
crushed. Following are the existing types of can crushers-

2.3.1 Pneumatic Can Crusher

Here the crushing of the cans is done by using compressed air channeled into a pneumatic
cylinder with a piston coupled to a shaft and compression plate at the other end. When the air is
pressurized into the cylinder the piston is pushed out and in turn pushes the compression plate that
compresses the can against a stationary wall. To relief the can pressurized air is released into the
atmosphere and the piston retracts [5]. It is cannot be used for heavy duty crushing.
2.3.2 Hydraulic Can Crusher
A similar working principle is followed as in pneumatic can crusher with the difference
being the medium used to transfer power. In a hydraulic can crusher a cylinder is needed to but
instead of air, hydraulic fluid is pressurized into the cylinder to push the compression plate that
crushes the can but this time to relief the can. The hydraulic fluid is released back into the system
(closed system) once the crushing action has been completed. Hydraulic fluid is not readily
available, expensive and some of the transmission fluids are not environmentally friendly.

2.3.3 Hand Operated Can Crusher

This kind of crusher is able to be worked by hand physically. This type of can crusher is
made of either wood and metal or even plastic. Metal made can crushers are mostly used, but are
relatively expensive when compared to those made from wood or plastic.

2.3.4 Foot Operated Can Crusher

The foot operated floor can crusher is a great way to recycle aluminum and steel cans. The
can crusher is easy to use and comes with a support bar which is designed to prevent cans from
being forced out of the can crusher by the pressure of the foot plate being pushed down. The
crusher also features a piercing screw which can be adjusted to aid crushing harder cans. Once the
cans are crushed they can be sorted for recycling, a magnet is featured on the can crusher to help
distinguish between steel and aluminum cans. If the magnet does not stick to the can it means it is
aluminum. In the given figures first shows the simple foot operated can crusher and second shows
the working of foot operated can smasher.

2.3.5 Wall Mounted Can Crusher and Bottle Opener

The working principle of this type of can crusher is same as the simple hand operated
aluminum soda can crusher but the difference is this aluminum bars wall mount can crusher do
another work of opening soda bottles. This makes it two in one can crusher.

2.4 About Our Project

 The type of can crusher we make is the hand operated can crusher with a hopper and a bin
to hold the crushed can. We made this project using the basic knowledge of theory of machine,
strength and mechanical machine design.

2.5 Components of Hand Operated Can Crusher

The components of our can crusher are,
1. The base frame
2. The piston
3. Cylinder
4. Shaft
5. Connecting rod
6. The handle
7. Hopper and
8. The bearing

2.6 Key Features of Design

1. The can crusher takes less effort of the worker.

2. Cushion grip handle are used for soft gripping.
3. It reduces the can size up to 70%.
4. It is simple and safe to operate.
5. It crushes all sizes cans.
6. The crusher hopper holds 5-10 cans.
7. This aluminum can crusher saves space in recycling bin.
8. Heavy gauge materials used for long life.
9. It crushes cans in a less time or less effort.

2.7 CAD Drawing of Our Can Crusher Design

2.8 Shaft

A shaft is a rotating machine element which is used to transmit power from one place to
another. The power is delivered to the shaft by tangential force and the torque set up within the
shaft. The shafts are usually cylindrical but may be square or cross-shaped in section. They are
solid in cross-section but sometimes hollow shafts are also used. The various members such as
pulleys, gears etc., are mounted on the shaft.
2.8.1 Properties of the material used for shaft
The material used for shafts should have the following properties:
1. It should have high strength.
2. It should have good machinability.
3. It should have low notch sensitivity factor.
4. It should have good heat treatment properties.
5. It should have high wear resistant properties.

2.4.2 Types of shaft

There are two types of shaft:
1. Transmission shaft
2. Machine shaft

Figure 2.4 Transmission shaft Figure 2.5 Machine shaft

2.4.3 Stress in shaft

The following stresses are induced in the shaft
1. Shear stress due to the transmission of torque.
2. Bending stresses sue to the force acting upon machine elements.
2.9 Bearing

A bearing is a machine element that constrains relative motion to only the desired motion.
Reduces friction between moving parts. Enable machinery to move at extremely high speed and
carry loads with ease and efficiency. Bearings are found in application ranging from automobiles,
airplanes refrigerators and ceiling fan etc.

2.9.1 Classification of bearing

1. Ball bearing
2. Roller bearing
3. Fluid bearing
4. Magnetic bearing
5. Journal bearing
6. Plain bearing
7. Tapered roller bearing

2.9.2 Advantages of Ball Bearings

1. Low friction.
2. Minimum lubrication.
3. Wear resistant.
4. Running in not required.
5. Requires little attention.
6. Dimensions relatively small.
7. No scraping required to fit shaft.
8. Easy replacement.

2.9.3 Disadvantages of Ball Bearings

1. More noise at very high speed.

2. Low resistance to shock loading.
3. More initial load.
 Figure 2.6 Ball Bearings

2.10 Crank Mechanism

A crank is an arm attached at a right angle to a rotating shaft by which reciprocating
motion is imparted to or received from the shaft. It is used to convert circular motion into
reciprocating motion, or vice versa. The arm may be a bent portion of the shaft, or a separate arm
or disk attached to it. Attached to the end of the crank by a pivot is a rod, usually called
a connecting rod. The end of the rod attached to the crank moves in a circular motion, while the
other end is usually constrained to move in a linear sliding motion. The term often refers to a
human-powered crank which is used to manually turn an axle, as in a bicycle crankset or a brace
and bit drill. In this case a person's arm or leg serves as the connecting rod, applying reciprocating
force to the crank. There is usually a bar perpendicular to the other end of the arm, often with a
freely rotatable handle or pedal attached.
 Figure 2.7 Crank Mechanism.

2.11 Piston
A piston is a component of reciprocating engine, reciprocating pump, gas compressors and
pneumatic cylinder. It is the moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-
tight by piston rings. In an engine, its purpose is to transfer force from expanding gas in the
cylinder to the crankshaft via a piston rod and/or connecting rod. In a pump, the function is
reversed and force is transferred from the crankshaft to the piston for the purpose of compressing
or ejecting the fluid in the cylinder. In can crusher, the piston is used to crush the can.