Communal washing machine
The schematic right shows how a open-source communal washing machine can be build. The use of several small-capacity washing machines for a community increases cost; primarily because commercial washing machines are already expensive per piece and this is multiplied by the units purchased. Also, another feature of this machine is that it may be more energy efficient; as the water itself does not need to be moved by the engine. Instead, only the clothes are moved using baskets, and the water simply flows trough these baskets. In conventional machines, the water too is moved as the entire drum turns (rather than just the clothes). This decreases efficiency, as the weight of the water needs to be overwon with each change in rotation direction or halt (to mix clothes). The machine presented can also be constructed on-site, rather than that the machine needs to be shipped/transported (which is costly, due to the weight of most washing machines). Leaks can be easily detected using a water-impenetrable substance (see drawing). In addition, the use of communal machine reduces costs even more, as less energy is consumed than a comparable small-capacity machine. Also, the job of washing may now to given to a few people for an entire community (reduces worktime). The machine presented can be repaired over-and-over, as the design is simple and manufacturer-independent. Some potential exists for automation (eg for supplying clothes). Besides a electric engine, animal- or human power may also be used. The cleansing agent used should be http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_cleaning_product Note that instead of the large lids shown above, hinge doors placed over a hole may also be used (1 hole per section); these reduce wear on the joints as the areas connecting are less large. Also, 2 heating coils with a temperature sensor can be added if the water temperature is found to cool down too rapidly. The coils can be inserted from the top to a area out of reach of the baskets. Laundry seperation can be done inmediately when the clothes are discarded, rather than needing to seperate it twice.
