Motorized Can Crusher#
A senior mechanical-design project brief for a lead-screw can crusher controlled by an Arduino.
See Text Problem Catalog for the text family index.
Quick Facts#
Field |
Value |
|---|---|
Problem ID |
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Problem Family |
text |
Implementation |
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Capabilities |
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Study Suitability |
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Tags |
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Taxonomy#
- Formulation
textual_prompt
- Is Dynamic
no
- Orientation
engineering_practical
- Objective Mode
qualitative
- Constraint Nature
embedded-constraints
- Tags
text,human-subjects,ideation,recycling,mechanisms,manufacturing- Deliverable Type
concepts
- Timebox Hint (Minutes)
60
- Participants
team
- Evaluation Mode
idea_generation
Statement#
Students must design a can crusher that is capable of reducing a standard aluminum beverage can to a height of 1 in.
Project Requirements:
The crush force for the device must be produced by a lead
screw driven by a 40W gear motor; there are no constraints on the arrangement of the motor/lead screw system.
The can crusher is to be controlled by an Arduino
micro-controller which monitors the status of a pushbutton, a micro-switch located at the home or start position of the ram, and a micro-switch at the end-of-travel position of the ram.
When the push button is depressed, the cycle starts by moving
the ram to its home position if it is not already there, waits two seconds to allow a can to be placed ahead of the ram, drives the ram against the can, pauses for one second at the end of travel, and then returns the ram to its home position.
Prompt Profile#
Field |
Value |
|---|---|
Deliverable Type |
concepts |
Timebox Hint (Minutes) |
60 |
Participants |
team |
Evaluation Mode |
idea_generation |
Sources#
Key |
Summary |
|---|---|
|
Sullivan and Hardin (2015). The Can Crusher Project: A Multi-Semester Design Project to Enhance Retention of Engineering Skill Sets. ASME IDETC/CIE 2015, DETC2015-47417. |
Raw Citation Records#
Sullivan, Gerald A., and Jon-Michael Hardin (2015). The Can Crusher Project: A Multi-Semester Design Project to Enhance Retention of Engineering Skill Sets. ASME IDETC/CIE 2015, DETC2015-47417.