Optimization of Washing Machine Component by Samsung Using OptiStruct
Applicable Industries
- Electronics
- Life Sciences
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Last Mile Delivery
About The Customer
Suzhou Samsung Electronics Co. is a joint venture between Korean and Chinese companies that develops and produces major home appliances. Over the past 17 years, the company has introduced many new types of refrigerators and washing machines, each carefully engineered to provide the greatest value through optimization that reduces product weight while maintaining top-quality performance. Every component is designed to contribute to this goal, and the company has been focusing on ways to optimize the design of a belt pulley for one of its washing machines.
The Challenge
Suzhou Samsung Electronics Co., a joint venture between Korean and Chinese companies, has been focusing on optimizing the design of a belt pulley for one of its washing machines. The belt pulley, an essential component of a drum washing machine, was traditionally constructed from cast aluminum. However, with increasing cost pressures, the company sought to reduce the pulley’s weight by optimizing its design and/or using new materials for its production. The challenge was to consider alternative materials, taking into account both their performance and cost. To meet these challenges, Suzhou Samsung decided to employ topology optimization.
The Solution
To optimize the pulley, Suzhou Samsung chose OptiStruct, a key component of Altair’s HyperWorks suite of computer-aided engineering tools. OptiStruct provided important optimization features such as topology, size, and shape optimization. The company used the variable-density method of topology optimization, which uses the relative density of the elements as the design variable to determine the optimized material distribution. The process began with a static analysis of the original pulley model, followed by defining the topology optimization model. After solving the optimization problem, the model was rebuilt based on the results and size and shape optimization was conducted on the new model. The process concluded with a static analysis of the optimized structure, comparing results before and after optimization. The company also evaluated the potential benefits of switching from aluminum to a nylon-based belt pulley.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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