Top secret - opinions wanted - Project Fit

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Compact Portable Washer

Hi Thomas, I did not say anything about SQ or compare this washer in any way to any SQ washer.

 

This is a compact agitation only machine it does not compare to any Automatic Washer any where in the world.

 

I believe that this is a good product that will make many peoples lives easier in the US and all over the world.

 

My Point is do not misrepresent your products, if you say it can wash 12 pounds of clothing don't show us a video with a 3 pound load that does not even appear to have one bath towel in it.

 

If it can wash 10 pounds of towels, fine show us that video,

 

I guess I can understand why your phone rings off the hook all day, LOL

 

John L.
 
@combo52

I'm happy to know that I was wrong regarding my impression about what you said above.

I never misrepresented our products and would never do that, specially here at AWO. Do t forget I'm a professional designer with years of graduation and over 200 designs that reached the market in more than 50 countries.

I mentioned the rated capacity (it's not me saying that, but DOE standards and the tub dimensions). Also, there's absolutely no need to make-up anything because the washer alone, as is, is already way superior than its competitor in the same category (Panda). And Panda has an impeller and a 70% smaller capacity. Actually, nowadays the market has nothing that really compares to it because of the agitator, but for years consumers have been asking me to bring agitators back.

As you can imagine, it was very challenging because of the modern DOE standards that keep our hands tied. TLA reputation was built on 1) performance, 2) durability and 3) peace of mind because even if it fails (below 1%) we never fix, but replace the whole product.

My challenge was making an agitator washer that REALLY performs very well and meeting the DOE standards. By perform well, I mean, it has to clean "real life" clothes and it has to rinse decently.

The video shows a different wash because my idea was only show the wash action and the agitator movement. I was going to make a vídeo with no load at all, however, it would make difficult to see the agitator because of the contrast with the water and would also expose the bottom of the tub and the whole agitator design that are still classified. IDK if you noticed, I intentionally didn't show the whole washer design, control panel, etc because it's still classified.
 
I like this design...

And I know that if or when my vintage Maytags can't keep working anymore, I will be able to buy a new, modern washing machine with the washing agitator action that I prefer. And I have some family members that feel the same way about the agitator washing action too. This is really exciting. Especially for someone like me who is mechanically challenged, when it comes to fixing things!

Thank you Thomas, you've got me cheering for you on this side of the computer!
WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!
🥰 👏🏻✌
 
How does the motor reverse direction? Timer driven drum cycling contacts or triac electronics? Have you ever considered a transmission, just for the agitation? Is this machine auto fill and/or auto drain?

 

In so far I really like what I'm seeing. I still think a front load version of a no-spin automatic is a better idea, but please do not take anything I'm saying to heart as you've got a really good design in motion already.

 

With that said I like what I'm seeing
smiley-cool.gif


 

 
 
It already reached the market in Brazil (with a weaker motor because of local limitations)

People seem to be enjoying it.

As I mentioned. This model is intentionally simple. I was able to make it a little better here because DOE isn't as tough as INMETRO regarding power consumption (they're a pain with water consumption while in Brasil water is almost irrelevant but they're a pain with electricity)

The US version was, originally, 150W more powerful and I just added other 50W.
 
Thomas until recently Danby had an portable automatic with an agitator that many seemed to like. There are some videos of it. I know it's more like an agipeller design but how about something like that ?
 
Thomas, did you see this post from Tom?

>> I don't believe this forum is private for members only.
>> I was able to view it without being logged in.

I can confirm that this thread is world-visible without being logged in.
It has also been indexed already, so people will find their way here from Google searches.

lowefficiency-2021061221295908390_1.png
 
Triac

I guess that is better than rotating contacts. Personally I do not like electronics, but I assume you've weighed the pros and cons and cost of each. 

 

Is it possible to post the single lines and parts diagrams to these machines or is that considered confidential?  

 

Again, I highly respect what you are doing. You are a hero.
 
I've used contactors on other model and we had some issues with moisture. i also don't really love electronics and depending on the model I try to keep them to a minimum "just in case".

For the project Fit, I had no way to run away from it because the same platform is used in two different countries, so the challenge was making it compliant with two different safety standards (UL and ABNT) and also two efficiency standards (DOE and INMETRO)

The only viability was using a triac, but careful enough to exceed the standards, as usual by overdimensioning it.

Even being one of the most basic washers, some.components were made "badass" and the tiny pcb is one of them.

No, I'm not a hero at all. I'm just doing my job.
 
@agiflow

Yes, I remember the Danby.

It's not out of question, but considering the expressive number of consumers that contacted me.over the last four years asking for "long and slow strokes" made me decide I had to make them happy first.

Also, as mentioned before, the platform is used in two different markets and it was developed right in the worst days of the pandemic and we had to be fast. One solution that worked was reusing some components from other platforms that already existed.
 
"I'm Just Doing My Job"

Face Palm. :) History has shown that not to be an excuse, nor a valid defense under any condition good or bad.

 

With that said, you still are a hero as not many actually care about their job let alone have made an attempt to produce a legitimate no frills washing machine. Good washers are rare, existing in a sea of either poor performance, short lives, or both.

 

Many consumer hearts yearn for what once existed and you are the one making a beautiful dream come true. I think respect toward you has been earned. 

 

Question- are two drum timers expensive? I remember some makes of EU machines which had a timer where one set of contacts was cycled in seconds to achieve tumble while a second set in minutes to achieve the cycle- all in the same unit. 
 
What about instead of using a transmission

Triac, Or timer based switch system why not use a gearbox to lower the speed of the motor and then use some linkages to change the rotational motion into an oscillating motion similar to those master grande portable washing machines, It probably might be too heavy to ship but it’s worth hearing your opinion about it
 
You're absolutely right.

It adds weight to shipping (increase cost)and also makes the production cost skyrocket.

The first challenge is keeping it affordable for low.income customers, also, we have the competition. Here at AWO we all know value, but the average consumer cares only about the price on a tag.

Many times, $1 is the factor that make them go from one of our models (that have the standard 3 year warranty) to a Chinese crap sold on ebay that comes with a 90 day warranty.
 
You could also use that warranty as a selling point as well

For example “our warranty is 10 times longer than the competitions”
It could be a good selling point Well if something is cheap and has a long warranty you better believe that I would be getting it compare to something else that’s slightly more expensive and has a three month warranty
 
Yes, that's what smart people would do.

What we see every day in real life is a completely different story.

It's like "OMG, that dealer is selling a Ford Pinto 1 cent cheaper than a brand new Bentley, so of course the pinto is the best option because it's cheaper and I'll save a lot of money, what a steal, YAY"
 

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