Design patterns on outer casing of washing machine
This 'circular design' Bosch have on the sides of their washing machine , they claim that the design cuts down on noise. Never having a Bosch machine, is this a valid claim? - can the design pattern on the sides of the machine really quieten down a washing machine more than say a hotpoint or indesit that have just elongated vertical lines design? .. or is it just a gimmick for sales / marketing purposes?
Solution Summary
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This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Bosch washing machine side-panel pattern discussed as cabinet strengthening rather than a fault
- The problem
- The question was whether Bosch’s circular side-panel design genuinely reduces washing machine noise compared with plainer cabinet pressings, or whether it is mainly marketing.
- Likely cause
- The accepted explanation was that the pressed patterns stiffen otherwise thin metal side panels, similar to corrugation. This added rigidity can reduce cabinet vibration and possibly the amplification of noise, but the exact Bosch circular shape was not proven to be uniquely better than other pressed line patterns.
- What fixed it
- No repair was involved. The thread concluded that side-panel pressings are a valid structural method to strengthen the casing and may help with noise by reducing vibration, although the exact advantage of Bosch’s specific circular design over other shapes was not confirmed.
- Checks to try
- Accepted reply stated the pattern strengthens thin casing
- Further reply suggested any indentations or lines would strengthen the side panels
- Noise reduction was described as probably relating to reduced cabinet vibration or sound amplification
7 Answers
Hello Andy. Yes it strengthens an otherwise inadequately thin casing. It's surprising how thin you could make a casing if you incorporate lines in the right place. It's probably the same principle as corrugated paper where the thin lines greatly strengthen the otherwise fairly thin paper. As to whether or not the exact shape of these lines is more of a gimmick or not it's more difficult to say. I would presume their goal is to use as little metal as possible. So someone may have discovered that a particular pattern does the job using less metal. Or it could just be that it does the same job as everything else but it looks nicer to them.
My Miele washing machine is about 11 years old now. It has 3 horizontal lines or indentations on each side. This presumably allows them to use slightly thinner metal than they would otherwise have needed.
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Regarding the noise they are probably referring to noise from vibration of the cabinet. Or possibly even cutting down the amplification of noise through the cabinet.
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ah right, i see Andy. and do you think/believe what pattern/design they put on the sides really does that and works?
Hello Andy. It's essential to strengthen the sides. Without these lines or indentations they would have to use metal several times thicker to try and achieve the same strength. There must be an optimum way of doing it. The circular design by Bosch makes them look different and arguably more stylish. I'm sure they have done tests and found it works well but any shape or markings should strengthen the side casing. Arguably if you have to use it you might as well make it look good :-)
You might find the following article interesting which discusses the process and mentions these grooves in particular in the 3rd of the 5 ways quoted to strengthen sheet-metal
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Thanks Andy - i shall have a read of that.
can you ever see a day where they make outer casings of washing machines using thick plastic material? - do you reckon it would be cheaper way of making washing machines ? - I can see maybe sometime in the future them maybe using it , although is it more environmentally friendly to use metal rather than plastic, maybe it is.? - Be cool if they could make one out of a 3D printer. It wouldnt rust or dent and I reckon it would quite things down even more.
Plastic can be made stronger than steel so it's definitely possible. As you say it comes down to whether it's cheaper or not. I think the steel is pretty recyclable though.
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