Development of a Solenoid-Coil-Based Door Lock System for Industrial Washing Machines Using Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

This study presents the development of a locally manufactured solenoid-coil-based door lock system for industrial washing machines, addressing the challenges associated with imported mechanisms such as high costs, frequent failures, and supply chain delays. The solenoid coil design is optimized using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to achieve sufficient electromagnetic force while maintaining energy efficiency. The system operates at 24V DC with a nominal current of 0.65A, consuming 15W of power. Extensive testing demonstrated the system's reliability and robustness, including mechanical durability over 15,000 locking cycles, resilience under high temperature (up to 60°C) and humidity (90% RH) conditions, and resistance to forced entry. The results validate the system’s ability to meet the stringent demands of industrial environments while providing a cost-effective and reliable alternative. This development highlights the potential for scalable applications and contributes to advancing local manufacturing capabilities for industrial machinery components.