How should Ben continue building his automatic can crusher? Post your idea + you might get a free Ben Heck t-shirt!

I like the original coil Idea... but make it more like a mini rail gun with the can between metal plates. Send the rod down the rail. Crush the can leave an opening for the crushed can to fall into recycling bin. This is the video that made me think of the idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LjnhhtHojM

I think the http://www.amazon.com/Northern-Industrial-Tools-Automatic-Crusher/dp/B0000AXDY9/ref=pd_sim_k_2 is a nice idea as are a lot of the ideas with pneumatics but this is over complicating a simple device. Just use a linear actuator to either operate the existing leaver of the can crusher os simply use the actuator to crush the can on any one of the feed mechanisms listed above.

Just shows what an old junker I am.  My first thought was to scavenge an old blender motor and attach it to a scissors jack.

I was just trying to be efficient and easily achieveable.  However, if its a bit of snap and pizzaz you are looking for...

1. A black powder driven piston.

2. Series of pinch rollers with gradually reduced spacing.

3. Pneumatic driven mallet on a pivot.

4. Gear reduced crush platform with an old sail boat wheel as the crank.

Each of these is a bit different in their own right, but I believe they have the required gee whiz factor.

Although not as tinkering and fun, this could be easily done with either a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator from a company like hydradyne.  Oil would have better control (can control flow), but it's more costly and complicated.  I believe all you need for pneumatic is a storage tank and a way to control air flow (on/off).  I still like your idea because it can be done with fairly easily obtainable parts.  I doubt you'll find a servo strong enough to crush, which is why gear ratios are so powerful.  Maybe you just need a powerful fast motor, perhaps a brushless one like this:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=5139

It's equivalent to an 80cc engine, and can handle up to 7,000watts at 48v

Last summer we used to crush cans with fire crackers. just light the fire cracker, drop it in the can, can flies up in the air and you have a crushed can. It would be pretty cool if he could find a way to crush cans consistantly with an automated explosion like that. explosions are awesome

I believe that is a second vote for the black powder driven piston

I posted another thread about this. I said a hydraulic system would make the most sense.

lol Use the coil idea.... except a lot more voltage and put the can in the coil.... the magnetics produced by the coil will induce eddy currents into the can and crush it.... much like the coin shrinking done here: http://205.243.100.155/frames/shrinkergallery.html

I was just wondering what does Ben do as a job? Just curious.. I'm sure I heard it sometime, but I can't quite remember...