Finite Element Analysis and Simulation of Aluminum Can Crushing Machine

In this 21^st century, our world has been witnessing increasing consumption of Can beverages and other non-biodegradable waste materials. The ubiquitous presence of aluminum Cans in our home surroundings, on streets corners and roads, restaurants and bars, and hotels has created the need for efficient recycling and quantity reduction technologies as the adverse effects of aluminum Cans in our  environment cannot be over emphasized. Consequently, this paper presents the use of ANSYS Static Structural finite element analysis (FEA) and simulation tools to evaluate stress distribution, deformation, strain energy, and crushing force during operation of the structural members of the aluminum Can Crushing Machine to enable the prediction of the machine behavior and performance. The structural analyses results showed that for the analyses performed on frame structure, half shaft-crank arm assembly, piston-cylinder assembly and machine assembly total deformation, equivalent strain, equivalent stress were observed to increase with load, while energy strain was observed to decrease with load.