How would you design a washing machine?

[leavemetogetonwithit]

Have had a few thoughts over the years about how I would change the design of washing machines to improve their durability, make them easier and cheaper to repair, etc.. I’ll bet you have, too.
Not that anybody’s ever going to listen to us, of course, or even ask, but there’d be no harm in discussing it just for a bit of fun.
Before I regale you with my ideas, I’ll see who else is interested.
Mike.

[garn]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

il Start First With A Clockwork timer That Could Last Anything Up To 25 Years 😆

Garn 😉

[robbra]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

A casette seal with ceramic faces and then an induction motor and a proper pump, an enamel outer tub and use lots of water, computer programmer.
Think I have redesigned a Servis Quartz apart from the motor 😆
I did love them

[aqualectric]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

robbra wrote: Think I have redesigned a Servis Quartz apart from the motor 😆
I did love them

God’s sake, Rob – I bet you’ve got the exploded view of a Quartz as a poster on your bedroom wall……… 😯

Steve. (who will probably have a brick through his van window tomorrow morning) 😆

[kwatt]

Asko built ISE10.

Done.

K.

[Penguin45]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

/ / / / / WHS / / / / /

(Doesn’t take much to make me happy 😀 )

Chris.

[neilsukwg]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

I actually spent a couple of years designing, then building experimental washing machines, Got the photos somewhere which were taken on a sony mavica ( the digital equivelant of a box brownie) so the photos are on floppy discs (anyone got a disc drive) ❓

The main thrust of the idea was an under counter machine with a drum vertically suspended on bearings (no bearing seal required, hardly) a pump fixed to the bottom of the tank and an instant hot water heater.

Used to spend many a happy deluded hour in me nutty proffesors workshop pinching parts off boat engines, welding drums etc.

Ahh those were the days…..

😀

[Phidom]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

I would go for a toploader but it would be an integrated type, hinged like the hidden kitchen bins that open as you open the cupboard door. This way you achieve the worktop maximisation of a front loader with the engineering advantages of a toploader. Top of the range models would have a memory card socket and come with PC software for customised wash programmes. The bottom of the range one would be as simple as possible to operate with the bare minimum of buttons.

[lee8]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

I guess it would depend on what I wanted or what the client requires.

I would want a machine that had easy access to most components and would break down every two weeks without the client complaining. 😆

The old Phillips machines tended to be fairly reliable, my mummy had the original door seal on it from the time I was three until I left home in my 20’s.Never needed repair, went for nearly 25 yrs without a single faulty.

Thank god there not made like that anymore.

If I wanted to make any money on an appliance it would have a great wash programme, be simple to use and would require a regular 12 monthly service on components that only had an 14 month life, that would ensure it never technically broke in the eyes of the idiots and would ensure a good income from regular service calls.

That is the future, a brilliant machine that never breaks but still generates part income and service.

Genius.

😆

[wilf]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

wm52 etc with fhp motor that said I’m still using a zanussi fl1084 god knows how old only fitted bearings brushes and module

wilf

[iadom]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

Minimal financial cost, only one moving part which should last for fifty years or more. 😆

[Madmac]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

iadom wrote:

Minimal financial cost, only one moving part which should last for fifty years or more. 😆

I wish people would STOP taking photos of my wife when they’re in these parts 👿

[Madmac]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

I think really what we all want when it comes to washers is a return to how it was 30 years ago 😯
Aint gonna happen though is it? 🙁 3 to 5 year replacement cycles are what the manufacturers & large retailers want so thats what we have :rolls:

If i was elected minister in charge of washing machine design though i would have the following..

1. Mechanical timer with replaceable drive motor.

2.Steel inner & outer drums.

3.Cast bearing carrier removable from back.

4.Motor with easily replacable armature & brushes (available without holders) at reasonable cost.

5.Motor control module with fuse on armature circuit.

6.Sell it for at least £400 so the customer’s first thought when it breaks just MIGHT be “Who can i get to fix this?” not, “Lets go online & order a new one”

Yep, i do basically just want to turn the clock back 30 years 😳

[A1TEC]

Re: How would you design a washing machine?

Servis Quarts was a good machine, one of my customers has had one for 20 years and has only changed it for a ISE 10 due to a new kitchen being fitted.

John.

[Author]

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