Pneumatic can crusher controlled by a BS2 on a Homework Board

Jeff Walsh · 2010-02-12 04:12

Hello All!· This is my first attempt at sharing one of my creations with the community, so here goes...

This is the "Cannihilator", a pnuematic powered can crusher that is controlled by a BS2 on a modified Homework Board.· My two sons, Jake-8, Ryan-5 and I built it together when the boys decided that they wanted to be more environmentally responsible and start recycling.· We started with a simple wall mounted hand crusher, but I knew we could do better than that! (Insert Tim Allen grunt here...arrghh, arrggh, arrggh!!!)

I wanted something more permanent, so I removed the included breadboard and used the screw terminals for the connections to the Homework Board and then layed out and etched a simple board·on which·the relay, pull-up and protection resistors and switch inputs were placed.· This was my first attempt at creating my own board, including etching and it took a little trial and error to get it right, but I finally did.· I wound up having a friend use a jpeg of the circuit to cut an etch mask using a vinyl cutting plotter typically used to make lettering for vehicles and windows.· It worked flawlessly! I'll include pictures of the board with the mask applied, before it was etched.

The control circuitry includes three switches that provide input to the stamp and one switch that controls the AC power to the solenoid valve.· The toggle switch with the red cover is used to cut the AC to the solenoid valve while still allowing the low voltage components to remain powered up.· The "Big Red Button" is what actuates the valve to extend and retract the piston and the key switch is used to completely disable the unit.· In one of the pictures with the lid open, you'll see the third switch.· It's a magnetic reed switch that acts as a safety to prevent·the piston·from being extended and/or retract·it if the lid is opened while extended.

It's fully functional now, but we have future plans for an autoloader system and fresh paint job with obligatory flames, decals·and chomey-go-fast parts!!

Thanks for looking and please feel free to comment.

UPDATED - YouTube video link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcXpM-dxjLQ

Post Edited (Jeff Walsh) : 2/13/2010 2:06:57 AM GMT

Jeff Walsh · 2010-02-12 04:13

More pictures...and BS2 Code.· I can't find the schematic or board pictures right now, but I'll upload them as soon as I find them.· Thanks again!

Post Edited (Jeff Walsh) : 2/12/2010 6:35:36 AM GMT

WBA Consulting · 2010-02-12 06:01

Nice work for a first post! It's pretty rare to see a completed project submitted by the forum's "newest member" (the bottom of each thread shows who the newest member to the forums is and right now it's you).

Your code is nice and clean as well, good job. It would be nice to see a video of it in action. Do you have the Bimba cylinder toned down for an easy crush or left wide open for a ramming crush? Do you plan to add some type of display for the can count?

Welcome to the community, keep the projects coming!

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Andrew Williams
WBA Consulting
WBA-TH1M Sensirion SHT11 Module
Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge, Mar 20, 2010
Propeller-Based Reverse Geo-Cache Birthday Present Project

Jeff Walsh · 2010-02-12 06:48

Andrew,

Thanks!· The cylinder isn't dialed down at all, but the tubing I used does slow it down a little compared to the larger 3/8" hose used to feed it from the compressor.· It still works VERY well down to about 50 PSI and the small Porter Cable compressor I have it hooked to shuts off at about 135 PSI.· It'll crush about 4 cans before the compressor kicks in to refill the tank, but even with the compressor turned off we can still crush over 20 cans before the pressure drops too low to be effective.· I actually have added a mechanical counter to display the can count, but I would like to convert it to and LCD or maybe just some 7 segment displays.· I also have a pressure transducer that I plan on adding to the mix at some point for the purpose of controlling the compressor directly from the stamp and may at some point fabricate a nicer control panel, although if I'm not careful, this could easily become "Dad's project" rather than something for the boys and I to do together...

Thanks again for the kind words and encouragement!

-Jeff

Moskog · 2010-02-12 07:56

Cool project, the kind I really likes to read about. How long time will you need before the can_count variable gets too small?

Jeff Walsh · 2010-02-12 15:02

The can_count variable is of the type "WORD", which allows it to be 8 characters, so the count will be good up to 99,999,999 cans.

To put that in perspective, if I were to crush 1 can per second, nonstop, it would take over 3 years to fill up the register.

davejames · 2010-02-12 16:47

This is an example of "simplicity is elegant".

Nicely done,

DJ

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Chris Savage · 2010-02-12 16:53

Very nice project! And a fresh idea (recycling). We don't see too many of those these days.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Chris Savage

Parallax Engineering
·

Shawn Lowe · 2010-02-12 17:16

This is eerie! I have been contemplating building one of these for my Elks lodge (people bring their cans in for money towards the lodge). This is great! I hope you like questions! [noparse];)[/noparse]

1- What size pneumatic cylinder did you use?

2- What did you make the ram out of?

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Shawn Lowe

When all else fails.....procrastinate!

Jeff Walsh · 2010-02-12 21:26

The cylinder is 2"x6" and it has a clevis pin setup that threads on to the shaft.· I used a part that I found in the gate hardware section at The Home Depot.· I think it's meant to be a bracket for a 2x4 but I was able to slice out the middle section and put the two pieces back-to-back.· I drilled a hole for the clevis pin and they fit perfectly.· The same thing could be done using two pieces of angle iron to form a "T", but the bracket was considerably cheaper.

I'll try to get a clear picture of it and post it up.

I don't mind answering questions at all!· In fact, I'm blown away by the response the "Cannihilator" has gotten!· Thank you all very much.

Shawn Lowe said...
This is eerie! I have been contemplating building one of these for my Elks lodge (people bring their cans in for money towards the lodge). This is great! I hope you like questions! [noparse];)[/noparse]

1- What size pneumatic cylinder did you use?

2- What did you make the ram out of?

Post Edited (Jeff Walsh) : 2/12/2010 9:32:38 PM GMT

Shawn Lowe · 2010-02-13 16:54

Wow! I haven't checked Ebay, but that is one expensive air cylinder. Do you have any suggestions on where to pick up one cheap (other than Ebay, I can't look when at work)?

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Shawn Lowe

When all else fails.....procrastinate!

Jeff Walsh · 2010-02-13 17:06

Shawn,

I feel your eBay withdrawal pains! I can't get there from work either. Mine came from eBay, I think it was about $30-$40 including shipping. I got a REALLY good deal on the solenoid valve. I bought a lot of 6 for less than $20 including shipping! I still have some left, so let me know if you end up needing one and I'll be glad to sell you one cheap.

Shawn Lowe · 2010-02-13 17:51

Jeff-
Ya, Ok. Let me get home and check out Ebay. I appreciate the offer on the solenoid valve, I'll let you know!

Thanks

P.S. Love the video

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Shawn Lowe

When all else fails.....procrastinate!

ktekx · 2010-02-19 02:13

very cool project, I've thought about building one of these myself. I wanted to use a cheap electric car jack, one of those that can run off an outlet or 12v source. I like your implementation though!

Jeff Walsh · 2010-02-19 04:55

Hey, All!

Thanks to a recommendation by Mikerocontroller, we made Hack a Day!!!!

http://hackaday.com/2010/02/18/cannihilator-can-crusher

NWCCTV · 2010-03-02 05:10

OK, Since you like questioms, I have a one. What does the air cylinder get powered from? I am a bit new to all this, but I picked up a whole bunch of mini SMC pneumatic parts on EBay for a really good price and have some ideas but need to be able to supply the air·from a small canister such as you used.
Great device. My wife just told me I need to do sometinglike this with my grandkids: Girl 9, Boy 6. Would love to see them have an interest in these types of projects instead of gaming all the time!!! Thanks if you can help.

Jeff Walsh · 2010-03-02 06:31

NWCCTV said...
OK, Since you like questioms, I have a one. What does the air cylinder get powered from? I am a bit new to all this, but I picked up a whole bunch of mini SMC pneumatic parts on EBay for a really good price and have some ideas but need to be able to supply the air·from a small canister such as you used.
Great device. My wife just told me I need to do sometinglike this with my grandkids: Girl 9, Boy 6. Would love to see them have an interest in these types of projects instead of gaming all the time!!! Thanks if you can help.

Hi, NWCCTV.

The cylinder is powered by a small Porter-Cable pancake compressor.·A·pressurized tank/cannister would work until the pressure dropped below the effective range, which for·ours, that's about 50-60 PSI.· I'll be glad to help in any way I can and·good luck in getting grandkids involved!

NWCCTV · 2010-03-02 06:53

I found them. Any idea where I might find small compressors that run on 12v to 24v dc? Pancake compressors are too large for the idea I have.

Post Edited (NWCCTV) : 3/2/2010 7:05:56 AM GMT

Jeff Walsh · 2010-03-02 16:06

NWCCTV said...
I found them. Any idea where I might find small compressors that run on 12v to 24v dc? Pancake compressors are too large for the idea I have.

I've looked into the 12V compressor idea with the hope of making the crusher quieter, but couldn't find a decent compressor for less than about $75. The next issue is, because most of those compressors are meant for automotive applications, like inflating tires or operating an air horn, they don't have any type of storage tank.· The latter can be overcome using schedule 40 PVC pipe to builid a tank, but I still haven't been able to justify the cost.

Anyway, to answer your question, I've seen some at Harbour Freight Tools, Sears and eBay.

I'm always tinkering with the crusher, so please let me know what your plans look like once you get them going.

NWCCTV · 2010-03-03 00:35

Will do. Just one question, Does the air cylinder you use not store air?

Jeff Walsh · 2010-03-03 05:04

NWCCTV said...
Will do. Just one question, Does the air cylinder you use not store air?

No, it doesn't.· It's a dual-acting cylinder, meaning it's powered in both directions.· The "unpowered" side of the piston is exhausted through the valve, otherwise the pressure would be (approximately) equal on both sides of the piston and it wouldn't be able to move.

DocThomas · 2010-03-16 17:55

It might be a good idea to put a safety switch on the door to make sure it has to be closed. So no little hands could be inside when it·crushes.·It looks like there·should be some inputs left.·

WBA Consulting · 2010-03-16 18:45

CONGRATULATIONS ON PROJECT OF THE WEEK!!!

DocThomas: He has a safety switch already:

Jeff Walsh said...
In one of the pictures with the lid open, you'll see the third switch. It's a magnetic reed switch that acts as a safety to prevent the piston from being extended and/or retract it if the lid is opened while extended.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Andrew Williams
WBA Consulting
WBA-TH1M Sensirion SHT11 Module
Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge, Mar 20, 2010

DocThomas · 2010-03-17 17:01

I missed it in the picture. Worse yet I read the post and forgot it talked about the reed switch. Sorry my bad.

Chip Cox · 2010-03-17 17:46

Looks GREAT!! I love the idea. Only two thoughts here.

My first thought is brought about from having 3 boys ages 18, 15, and 13 in the house. How do you keep them from crushing a full can??? I'm sure my boys would just love to see a coke explode from being crushed!!!

Second, and probably more useful. What do you think about hydrolics. I imagine they are more expensive than the pneumatics, but it might be offset by not needing the pancake air compressor.

skylight · 2010-03-17 20:17

Trouble with hydraulics is they are prone to leaks, not nice on a carpet

Pneumatic can crusher controlled by a BS2 on a Homework Board

Comments