Design and Fabrication of an Automated Pneumatic Can Crusher Using Arduino Uno R3

Abstract The increasing consumption of canned beverages demands efficient waste management solutions to address the challenges of volume, safety, and recycling logistics. This study presents the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of an automated pneumatic can crusher system controlled by an Arduino Uno R3 microcontroller. The prototype integrates a double-acting pneumatic cylinder, a solenoid valve, and an ultrasonic sensor for object detection, enabling automated can crushing with minimal human intervention. The system achieved a crushing force of approximately 650 N at 6 bar pressure and a cycle time of 4.7 seconds, with 98% operational reliability across 1000 cycles. Its low power consumption (10.2 W) and modular design make it suitable for small-scale applications such as cafeterias, educational institutions, and public recycling kiosks. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of combining open-source electronics and pneu-matics to create a cost-efficient, reliable, and scalable solution for sustainable aluminum waste reduction.