I claim BS in one of my classes.

[Joe Bob]

One of my classes has a text book that makes a claim that Hitachi redesigned a washing machine that uses only 6 screws.
>>>>>>>>

Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to ... - Page 199 - Google Books Result
books.google.com/books?isbn=0470393742
Daniel C. Esty, Andrew Winston - 2009 - Business & Economics
Hitachi adopted a DfE strategy in its washing machine division to stay ahead of ...
In redesigning its product to make disassembly easier, the company developed a
process by which its washing machines could be made with just six screws. ...
Hitachi also discovered that the new washer required less service, so that ...
[PDF]
Industrial Ecology and Competitiveness
digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1443...File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat
by DC Esty - 1998 - Cited by 226 - Related articles
doing so, we find, in many circumstances and in ... moved to take advantage of them. ... Dow Chemical, for example, redesigned its ... a process by which its washing machines could be made with just six screws. ... Hitachi also discovered ...
[PDF]
Green Business and the Importance of Reflexive Law: What Michael ...
Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
by DD Hirsch - Cited by 5 - Related articles
For example,. Hitachi redesigned its washing machines so that it could put them together with only six screws in order to stay ahead of Japanese recycling laws.
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I commented in the class that the line in the book is misleading, on more than one printing was ambiguous and unsupported. In other worlds I called BS. The class takes the meaning that there are six screws in the whole mechanism.


We have a fat, pissedattheworld Birkenstock wearing, walker bound PITA in the back of the room dispute my assertions. I'd like to shut her up......BTW, she seems to walk fine in the parking lot......when no one is looking.

Any comments?

Six screws and the unit opens up to sub-units for further dis-assembly...no way six in the whole thing.

[GH85Carrera]

It is about time you got some class.

I suspect there has to be more than 6 screws total in a washing machine, but I have no evidence.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

We have a fat, pissedattheworld Birkenstock wearing, walker bound PITA in the back of the room dispute my assertions. I'd like to shut her up......BTW, she seems to walk fine in the parking lot......when no one is looking.

Any comments?

....

My comment: You should be banned if you post a pic

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by kc911

my comment: You should be banned if you post a pic

10000++ :d

[Joe Bob]

Don't worry, no pics planned....

[pete3799]

Six screws and how many bolts?

[masraum]

It seems a bit far fetched to me as well, but I believe it could be done. Plastic snaps and catches and crimped on stuff and parts that are permanently sealed that aren't meant to be worked on, just replaced. I suppose it's possible.

Still, I would think that there would be six screws just holding the sheetmetal together.

[kaisen]

Six screws, but how many other types of fasteners? Rivets, clips, welds, bonds, glues, epoxies, snaps, bolts, dzus, splines, pins....you get the idea

Why are screws evil?

[Joe Bob]

It's an Env Social Marketing class. DfE is 'Design for Environment'.

The texts are taken like the Bible by some students. My BS claim is based on the fact that I can't see any way to back it up on any search. The statement is ambiguous and can be taken many ways.

The design of 'six screws" is supposed to facilitate tear down for recycling at End of Life of the unit and/or repair. I see it as a six fasteners that get you to the main guts.

Trivial but inherently an issue to claims of just 'six screws' in itself....

As you know when working on your car.....using one wrench is a lot easier than five to open up access for repair. Also, at least for Hitachi, assembly, service and stocking of parts is easier. A blanket statement such as in the book is misleading. It irks my motorheaded senses.

[masraum]

I did a search on google hoping to find more info, but all I found was that the book that you referenced was on google. I read the paragraph. I guess Hitachi was trying to stay ahead of Japanese recycling regulations. I assume this will save Hitachi money in the long run, so I can see that being a strong motivator. It also says that it reduced assembly time by 33%.

Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate ... - Daniel Esty, Andrew Winston - Google Books

Also, this article contains almost the same text
http://digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1443&context=fss_papers

[Esel Mann]

It is certainly possible to design such. As others have pointed out, there are many, many, (one more) many types of fasteners other than screws. Go to mcmaster carr and peruse their online catalog. That will give you an idea as to the different types of fasteners.

Also, this could possibly be a case of six screws for final assembly. Thus item(s) assembled as final assembly may have more screws.

Nevertheless, if you've ever looked at a current model dishwasher, washer or dryer you will see that while it is not six screws, they certainly do try to minimize (a) different sizes and (b) overall count when compared to the days of old.

I too find it odd that I can find nowhere reference to this specific machine model. What this makes me think is it was perhaps an exercise or design concept by Hitachi to explore the DFE ideology. Thus perhaps a one of a kind? Another possible way to approach this: find some manuals for current Hitachi washers. They should include breakout drawings and from there it should be possible to see if there they actually implemented the six screw philosophy.

[juanbenae]

i just last week was investigating a strange noise from my drier and in doing so I had to disassemble the shell. it is not a hitachi, but i was surprised that the top area popped up with no screws at all. the front cover had two screws up high that were easy to get to, and that was it. the whole front dropped off and i found my issue. so i can believe to some extent that the outer shell could only require 6 screws. seems that it makes them more DIY, but also saves time for techs to do paid for repairs.

[Zeke]

Didja ever think you could be wrong? I'd LMAO if ol' Mrs. Birker was right.

[Flieger]

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Didja ever think you could be wrong? I'd LMAO if ol' Mrs. Birker was right.

Before I flapped my lips...I had read the passage in the book and found no supporting data. For once I checked my facts before looking stoopid. But thanksfor the support....

[ltusler]

Go buy one and take it apart?

[speedracing944]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Six screws, but how many other types of fasteners? Rivets, clips, welds, bonds, glues, epoxies, snaps, bolts, dzus, splines, pins....you get the idea

Why are screws evil?

In manufacturing, screws are the enemy. Why? Because it takes 12 urns to thread it and only 1/2 turn to actually tighten it. There is much wasted motion in the process.

Speedy

[DanielDudley]

I think they are using six sizes of screws, and no fancy specially designed fasteners.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by speedracing944

In manufacturing, screws are the enemy. Why? Because it takes 12 urns to thread it and only 1/2 turn to actually tighten it. There is much wasted motion in the process.

Speedy

The u-style speed nuts are the enemy. Sheet metal spring clips are the work of the Devil. I don't know what the answer is. Cam locks would be great but expensive.

[andrew15]

Why don't you e-mail the author?

There's the possibility that it was just a design study and never made it into production

It's also possible that it was only marketed in some areas with smaller machines - North American machines are way bigger than the ones you find in some Asian countries.