Can Crusher

My classmate Colin O’Byrne and I built this machine in 2023 to make recycling more efficient. Can-only recycling bins fill up fast because uncrushed cans take up so much space. Our crusher sits on top of the bin and, with one button press, flattens a can to about a quarter of its size, so a bin that held 6 cans can hold 24. A car window motor drives a rack and pinion to do the crushing, and an Arduino uses limit switches to control when the motor extends, stops, and retracts. 

Project Poster