Abstract
This paper presents how an FEA model using MSC.NASTRAN was developed to simulate dehydration dynamics of a washing machine with spinning basket rotating about vertical axis. Gyroscopic effect, centrifugal forces, and self-balancing mechanism (liquid balancer) associated with rotating structures were considered in the simulation. Using the model, frequency response analysis was performed to simulate response of non-rotating structures in operating test. Static analysis was performed to simulate strain and stress of rotating structures at a discrete operating speed. The model was validated successfully with operating test data measurement. This paper also presents how the operating test was performed to understand dynamics of the dehydration process. The test was performed by installing an unbalance mass to the spinning basket based on manufacturer's design standard.
