Design appreciation of a commercial washing machine

Abstract

This paper focuses on the design appreciation of a washing machine or a washer. A washer is designed to clean laundry, such as clothing, towels and sheets. All washing machines work by using mechanical energy, thermal energy, and chemical action. Mechanical energy is imparted to the clothes load by the rotation of the agitator in top loaders, or by the tumbling action of the drum in front loaders. Detailed components designs were carried out on all the major elements of the washing machine vis-a-vis: belt design, shaft design and bearing selection. From the analysis carried out, the following have been recommended: two v-belts, 39 mm diameter shaft, basic dynamic capacity for the bearing C is 15206.5 N. This work has established the fact that washing machine of various capabilities can be manufactured locally without compromising standards.