With its new vibration balancing system, Electrolux-Wascator has managed to make its industrial washing machine operate more quietly than an ordinary domestic washing machine.

The system, known as DBS (Dynamic Balancing System), is based on the principle of allowing steel balls to compensate for the imbalance that occurs in every washing machine drum, whether it is completely or partially full. If the drum is out of balance it may give rise to troublesome noise. Residents living next to communal laundry rooms may be disturbed by the noise of vibrating washing machines.
In technical terms, the company has made use of a physical phenomenon that has been known since the early 1900s. Ring-shaped cavities are laser-welded to the front and back of the drum. The cavities are filled with oil and contain a number of steel balls which can move freely in the ring. When the cylinder reaches a specific rotation speed the balance elements (the balls) move into position to compensate for the imbalance of the drum.
The Electrolux sound laboratory has made comparative measurements in apartments where they tested identical washing machines with and without DBS. The reported sound levels were significantly lower where the washing machine was fitted with the balancing system.
In the laboratory the technicians measured the 'structure-borne' sound level with and without DBS. The new system reduces a structure-borne sound level of 87 decibels A (dBA) to 70 dBA. Since the decibel scale is logarithmic, this means that the structure-borne sound is reduced by a factor of 50.
The main advantage claimed for the new balancing system is that there is no longer any need for costly extra expenditure on large foundations and extra damping systems for the washing machines.
The technicians in the development department at Electrolux-Wascator got the idea from a 1960s American grinding machine. The problem was to find the right medium - the steel balls - and to have the courage to back a mechanical solution in an era when electronics is expected to solve every technical problem.

For further information:

FRANCE
Electrolux Blanchisserie SNC
J. Mesureux
10, Rue du Colisée, F-75008 Paris
Tel.: 0142256390; Fax: 0145633805

GERMANY
Electrolux Wäschereimasch. GmbH
Herrn B. Kampmann
Bismarckstrasse 96 (Industriegebiet), DE-72072 Tübingen
Tel: 0707-193000; Fax: 0707-1930019

ITALY
Electrolux-Wascator SPA
Pier Cereja
PO BOX 20, Strada Fornacino 152, I-100040 Leinì (TO)
Tel: 011 9969494; Fax:011 9968922

SINGAPORE
Electrolux S E A Pte Ltd
Mr Hong Boo Soon
136 Joo Seng Road, Singapore 368360
Tel: 285 8100; Fax: 382 9536

SWITZERLAND
Electrolux AG
Wascator Cleis Wäschereitechnik
U. Meier
Industriestrasse 10, CH-5506 Mägenwill
Tel: 062-8899450; Fax: 062-8899460

UK
Electrolux Industrial Laundry Group
David Hayes
Humphrys Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU5 4TP, England
Tel: 0158 259 3273; Fax: 0158 258 8871

USA
Wascomat of America
Mr N Milch
461 Doughty Boulevard, Inwood, Long Island, New York 11096
Tel 0516 371 4400; Fax 0515 371 4029

WORLDWIDE
Electrolux-Wascator AB
Stefan Rydergren
SE-341 80 Ljungby, Sweden
Tel +46 372 66100, Fax +46 372 13390
Email: info@wascator.electrolux.se
Internet: www.electrolux.se/wascator