Cloth Folding Machine

Washington University in St.
Louis
Washington University Open Scholarship
Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science
Fall 12-10-2017
Cloth Folding Machine

Yiwei Liu
Washington University in St. Louis
Dung Tran
Kexin Wang
Follow this and additional works at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/mems411

Part of the Mechanical Engineering Commons
Recommended Citation
Liu, Yiwei; Tran, Dung; and Wang, Kexin, "Cloth Folding Machine" (2017). Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class. 66.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/mems411/66
This Final Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science at Washington University Open
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Executive Summary
This project introduces the design process and design results of a cloth folding machine. Since
clothes folding is always a tedious process for most people, it is a good idea to produce a
machine that can reduce the work and time of folding clothes. The cloth folding machine is
designed and produced by a group of three engineering students. The final product is designed
for household use and is intended to compete against similar existing products. The design
process includes research in background information and relevant standards, needs specification,
concept generation and selection, and engineering analysis. The prototype was built based on
calculations and simulations in Solidworks. The design uses several combinations of gears and
cranks to flip the boards and thus fold the clothes that is put on the platform by the user. The
final product achieved several of the performance goals, including completing one cycle in less
than 20 seconds, less than 20 pounds, completing ten cycles consecutively without failure and
having at least two folding patterns. The major problem of this final product is that it did not fold
the clothes in a good shape and it could not switch patterns automatically. Further improvements
could still be done.
MEMS 411: Senior Design Project

Cloth Folding Machine
Yiwei Liu
Dung Tran
Ray Wang
Cloth Folding Machine Introduction and Background Information
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Figures 4
List of Tables 5
1. Introduction and Background Information 6

1.1 Initial Project Description 6
1.2 Existing Products 6
1.3 Relevant Patents 6
1.4 Codes & Standards 6
1.5 Project Scope 6
1.6 Project Planning 7
1.7 Realistic Constraints 7
1.7.1 Functional 7
1.7.2 Safety 7
1.7.3 Quality 7
1.7.4 Manufacturing 7
1.7.5 Timing 7
1.7.6 Economic 7
1.7.7 Ergonomic 8
1.7.8 Ecological 8
1.7.9 Aesthetic 8
1.7.10 Life Cycle 8
1.7.11 Legal 8
1.8 Revised Project Description 8
2. Customer Needs & Product Specifications 8

2.1 Customer Interviews 8
2.2 Interpreted Customer Needs 9
2.3 Target Specifications 10
3. Concept Generation 11
3.1 Functional Decomposition 11
3.2 Morphological Chart 11
3.3 Concept #1 – “Cloth folding board” 14
3.4 Concept #2 – “Cloth folding hanger” 15
3.5 Concept #3 – “Gear-driven board” 16
3.6 Concept #4 – “Rail Folding machine” 17
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3.7 Concept #5 – “Drop-off stack” 18

3.8 Concept #6 – “Flipping stack” 19
4. Concept Selection 20
4.1 Concept Scoring Matrix 20
4.2 Explanation of Winning Concept Scores 21
4.3 Explanation of Second-Place Concept Scores 21
4.4 Explanation of Third-Place Concept Scores 21
4.5 Summary of Evaluation Results 21
5. Embodiment & Fabrication plan 22

5.1 Isometric Drawing with Bill of Materials 22
5.2 Exploded View 23
5.3 Additional Views 23
6. Engineering Analysis 24
6.1 Engineering Analysis Results 24
6.1.1 Motivation 24
6.1.2 Summary Statement of the Analysis 24
6.1.3 Methodology 25
6.1.4 Results 25
6.1.5 Significance 25
6.2 Product Risk Assessment 27
6.2.1 Risk Identification 27
6.2.2 Risk Heat Map 29
6.2.3 Risk Prioritization 29
7. Design Documentation 29
7.1 Performance Goals 29
7.2 Working Prototype Demonstration 30
7.2.1 Performance Evaluation 30
7.2.2 Working Prototype – Video Link 30
7.2.4 Working Prototype – Additional Photos 30
7.3 Final Presentation – Video Link 31
8. Discussion 32
8.1 Design for Manufacturing – Part Redesign for Injection Molding 32
8.1.1 Draft Analysis Results 32
8.1.2 Explanation of Design Changes 32
8.2 Design for Usability – Effect of Impairments on Usability 32
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8.2.1 Vision 32
8.2.2 Hearing 33
8.2.3 Physical 33
8.2.4 Language 33
8.3 Overall Experience 33
8.3.1 Does your final project result align with the initial project description? 33
8.3.2 Was the project more or less difficult than you had expected? 33
8.3.3 In what ways do you wish your final prototype would have performed better? 33
8.3.4 Was your group missing any critical information when you evaluated concepts? 33
8.3.5 Were there additional engineering analyses that could have helped guide your
design? 34
8.3.6 How did you identify your most relevant codes and standards and how they
influence revision of the design? 34
8.3.7 What ethical considerations (from the Engineering Ethics and Design for
Environment seminar) are relevant to your device? How could these considerations be
addressed? 34
8.3.8 On which part(s) of the design process should your group have spent more time?
Which parts required less time? 34
8.3.9 Was there a task on your Gantt chart that was much harder than expected? Were
there any that were much easier? 34
8.3.10 Was there a component of your prototype that was significantly easier or harder to
make/assemble than you expected? 34
8.3.11 If your budget were increased to 10x its original amount, would your approach
have changed? If so, in what specific ways? 34
8.3.12 If you were able to take the course again with the same project and group, what
would you have done differently the second time around? 35
8.3.13 Were your team member’s skills complementary? 35
8.3.14 Was any needed skill missing from the group? 35
8.3.15 Has the project enhanced your design skills? 35
8.3.16 Would you now feel more comfortable accepting a design project assignment at a
job? 35
8.3.17 Are there projects you would attempt now that you would not have attempted
before? 35
Appendix B - CAD Models 37
Annotated Bibliography 42
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Function tree for cloth folding machine 11
Figure 2: Concept #1 – “Cloth folding board” 15
Figure 3: Concept #2 “Folding Hanger” 16
Figure 4: Concept #3 “Gear-driven board 17
Figure 5: Concept #4 “Rail Folding Machine” 18
Figure 6: Concept #5 “Drop-off Stack” 19
Figure 7: Concept #6 “Flipping Stack” 20
Figure 8: Isometric drawing with bill of material of the clothes folding machine 23
Figure 9: Exploded view of the clothes folding machine 24
Figure 10: Additional exploded view of the folding machine 24
Figure 11: Additional view of the machine 25
Figure 12: Torque driven by the motor 26
Figure 13: Angular displacement comparison of the two left and right flipping boards 26
Figure 14: Before analysis Solidworks Design 27
Figure 15: After analysis Solidworks Design 28
Figure 16: Risk assessment heat map 30
Figure 17: Overview of the working prototype 31
Figure 18: Gear driven by the DC Motor behind for the top board 32
Figure 19: Draft analysis result for injection molding 33
Figure 20: The side boards for the case of the clothes folding machine. The case boards are
nailed together. 38
Figure 21: The top and bottom boards for the casing 38
Figure 22: The middle board to holding the set of gears to drive the left and right flipping boards
39
Figure 23:The crank attachment placed between the flipping board and the crank on the gears. 39
Figure 24: The left crank to drive the left flipping board 40
Figure 25: The right crank to drive the right flipping board 40
Figure 26: The top flipping board 41
Figure 27: The two flipping boards on the side 41
Figure 28:The stationary board below the top flipping board of the folding machine to hold
folded clothes 42
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Customer interview and interpreted need 9
Table 2: Interpreted customer needs 10
Table 3: Target product specifications for cloth folding machine 11
Table 4: Morphological Chart 12
Table 5: Weighted Score Matrix 21
Table 6: Analytic Hierarchy Process 21
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1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1. INITIAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project was designed to meet the needs of folding clothes for college students, housewives
or anyone who has trouble folding clothes. Lots of college students are annoyed by spending
time folding clothes based on our customer interviews. In addition, most of clothes folding
machine in market are either for industry use or too expensive. We are trying to build a portable
automatic clothes folding machine at a cheap cost to serve most people. It not only combined the
metrics from existing products but also have two folding patterns, which is more convenient and
efficient.
1.2. EXISTING PRODUCTS

Automatic Folding Machine FX23: Fx23 is an automatic folding platform that can easily fold
lots of clothes in a short time. It is really easy to operate with just two buttons. One of its strong
merits is that it can stack those folded clothes after. However, it is an industrial product not
suited for a household environment.
FoldiMate: FoldiMate Folding Machine is a robotic clothes folding machine which can easily
handle most of types of clothes including pants, shirts and towels with its easy clipping function.
Moreover, FoldiMate enables internet connection which largely improves user experience. One
drawback is that it is not available yet and is costly
1.3. RELEVANT PATENTS
US8973792B1
“Fabric article folding machine and method, a invention that folds fabric articles automatically. It
uses a rotating rod in combination with a retractable concave/convex tape to create pairs of folds
on a fabric article on a horizontal platform. “
US5417641A
“Device for folding articles, a device for folding flexible articles such as shirts, towels, piece
goods by comprising a generally flat main member with two side panels foldable attached to the
main member. “
1.4. CODES & STANDARDS

ISO 10472-5:1997
“This standard is the safety requirements for industrial laundry machinery, and it is intended to
instruct the designer of industrial laundry machinery in a systematic manner regarding the
relevant safety requirements and to suggest possible safety solutions. “
1.5. PROJECT SCOPE

The machine should be programmed to fold, and stack simple clothes. It will operate in a
semi-automated process; the customer only need to lay the clothes flat on the platform and the
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machine takes them in for folding and stacking. It should be connected to a power source. It
should have two folding patterns, one for short-sleeve shirts, and the other for pants.
1.6. PROJECT PLANNING

The project, clothes folding machine, is planned to be designed and assembled in four months
from September to December. The final working prototype is planned to have two folding
patterns and to fold shirt or pant in less than 20 seconds. The project budget is around $170.
1.7. REALISTIC CONSTRAINTS

The project should not exceed $170 in budget ideally. This is the key constraint of the project.
We need to keep the design simple and functional to appeal to most customers. We should have a
prototype completed by the end of the semester, so about 2 to 3 months for a presentable final
prototype. The size of the machine should not be too large so that it would not occupy too much
space in the room, but large enough to fold a typical sized piece of clothing.
1.7.1. Functional
The machine will be able for fold one piece of clothing at one time and put it in a stack. It will
consist of two folding patterns for shirts and pants.
1.7.2. Safety
Based on the purpose of design, the clothes folding machine is a household appliance. Safety is
the first priority to be considered. Both electrical hazard and noise hazard are avoided in the
design.
1.7.3. Quality
The machine should work smoothly and stably. The total weight of the machine should be less
than 20 pounds.
1.7.4. Manufacturing
For ease of manufacturing, our design consists of several parts that can be easily created and
assembled. The final prototype was improved from the rough design such as: Instead of a bottom
and top for the casing, the prototype is held by four vertical boards, which can hold the flipping
boards on top with ease and are also much easier to be manufactured.
1.7.5. Timing
We used a stepper motor to drive gear combinations to flip boards of two sides. The left boards
is to be set to flip first. When left board falls down, the right board goes up. In addition, the
stepper motor is set to have a 7 seconds lag between two full cycles. In addition, the whole
design, manufacturing, and assembly are finished in time as they were planned on our project
Gantt Chart.
1.7.6. Economic
Under the budget of $170, the final expense was successfully controlled to be lower than the
budget. We bought cheap boards from HomeDepot and also borrowed the motors from school’s
inventory. In addition, most of the parts are cutted by laser cutter from the architecture school.
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1.7.7. Ergonomic
To better help users to control the clothes folding machine, there are only two buttons on the
machine. One button is the start button. Once the start button is pressed, the clothes folding
machine will automatically fold either shirt or pant. The other button is switch button. Once the
switch button is pressed, the machine will switch its folding function.
1.7.8. Ecological
Because most of the material used in our final product is recyclable, the clothes folding machine
can be easily tear down and its parts can be reused to build other things. In addition, since all the
parts are built from woods, the machine is not harmful to the environment.
1.7.9. Aesthetic
The machine uses combinations of gears and a set of mechanism to connect the gear t o the
flipping boards. The shape of the parts for connection are designed in aesthetic manners.
1.7.10. Life Cycle

Since we used battery pack of 27 V each to drive two motors installed inside the machine, the
running hour is estimated 3 hours. In addition, all the parts have three layers, which have strong
stability. The life cycle is estimated to be one year.
1.7.11. Legal
The machine is legal use only and it should not violate any laws.
1.8. REVISED PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project aims to create a household cloth folding machine. It will use several folding on a
base unit which can fold clothing in the flipping motion. The final design will have two different
patterns to fold pants and shirts, and stack finished clothes afterwards. In addition, the unit will
be much lighter and smaller than existing products to fit in a household environment.
2. CUSTOMER NEEDS & PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

2.1. CUSTOMER INTERVIEWS
Table 1 Customer interview and interpreted need

Customer Data: Typical student A
Address: Washington University in St. Louis

Date: September 15th 2017
Question Customer Interpreted Need Importanc

Statement e
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What is the typical usage of Fold clothes neatly The CFM has good 4
the machine? flatly and quickly folding patterns 5
It is more effective than
folding manually
Fold different types 5
of clothes It has multiple folding
patterns
What material considerations Not too hard so it The material is not too 3
are present? can fit in my house hard or it is covered by
soft materials
What safety considerations Machine is family The CFM has no sharp 5

do you have? Are moving friendly, and should edges
parts, electricity an issue? be sturdy enough The CFM is compact 4
for household use
What other capabilities would Machine is able to The CFM has fabric 2
you like? spray some fragrance softening function
on the clothes
Likes - Current Products Easy to operate The CFM is user 5

Cheap friendly
The CFM is 5
cost-effective
Dislikes - Current Products Does not save too The CFM can fold a 5
much time piece of clothing
quickly
2.2. INTERPRETED CUSTOMER NEEDS
Table 2 Interpreted customer needs

Need Need Importanc
Number e
1 The cloth folding machine can be operated in multiple 5

patterns
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2 The CFM can be operated at home 3
3 The CFM can fold pants or shirts simultaneously 5
4 The CFM can be moved 4
5 The CFM is quiet 4
6 The Cost of CFM is low 4
7 The CFM is time efficient 5
8 The CFM is user friendly 4
9 The CFM is safe to use 5
2.3. TARGET SPECIFICATIONS
Table 3 Target product specifications for cloth folding machine

Metric Associated Metric Units Acceptable Ideal Source
Number Needs
1 2,4,6,8 Weight Kg 10-30 <=2 Customer

0 statement
2 2,4,6,8 Volume m3 1-2 <=2 Customer

statement
3 2 ,4,6,8 Height m 0.5-1 <=1 Customer

statement
4 1, 7 Efficiency clothes/mi 5-10 20 Customer

n statement
5 2,4 Size adjustability Integer 1-5 4 Customer

statement
6 5 Sound level dB < 40-70 < 50 Standard

while running
7 8 Force needed to N 10-30 10 Customer

lift shirt folding statement
platform
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8 8,9 Voltage needed V 110 110 Standard

while running
3. CONCEPT GENERATION
3.1. FUNCTIONAL DECOMPOSITION
Figure 1 Function tree for cloth folding machine
3.2. MORPHOLOGICAL CHART
Table 4 Morphological Chart

Interface with floor, or
table
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Interface with clothes
Allow mechanical
switch on/off
Allow switch between

different patterns
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Flip boards to fold

shirts and pants
Move boards to
starting position
Stack folded clothes
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Provide energy to
controller and moving
parts
3.3. CONCEPT #1 – “CLOTH FOLDING BOARD”
Figure 2 Concept #1 – “Cloth folding board”

When the folding pattern is chosen, each different board would be lifted by spring supporters in
sequences, folding the clothes. For Pants, they are put in different position because of its
different structure.
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3.4. CONCEPT #2 – “CLOTH FOLDING HANGER”
Figure 3 Concept #2 “Folding Hanger”
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There are four hangers with grips that can hold clothes. After one fold, the string ejector will
eject a sting to the hanging cloth. The ejected string will fold clothes to a further extent. The final
step is to take the string out from the folded clothes.
3.5. CONCEPT #3 – “GEAR-DRIVEN BOARD”
Figure 4 Concept #3 “Gear-driven board”
The four boards are driven by set of gears. The gears consist of different sizes so that they will
drive each board at different sequence when power is provided from the power cord. The gears
can also be switched for different clothing patterns. The final board in the middle will flip the
piece of clothing on top of the sliding door, which opens to a storage inside the machine. The
storage can be opened by a door on the side.
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3.6. CONCEPT #4 – “RAIL FOLDING MACHINE”
Figure 5 Concept #4 “Rail Folding Machine”
This machine consists of a hanger (or several) which can fold inside and down in the middle and
in the parts where the shoulders of the T-shirt are. The hanger can travel along a sloped rail to a
U-shaped gate which can move up. The shape of the gate will fold the shirt (and the hanger)
widthwise close to the shoulders while the upward motion of the gate will fold the shirt
lengthwise. The hanger will now collapse completely, dropping the shirt onto a slide which leads
to a basket below.
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3.7. CONCEPT #5 – “DROP-OFF STACK”
Figure 6 Concept #5 “Drop-off Stack”
An electrical control unit (ECU) controls three motors to rotate a certain degree and then rotate
to the original position to finish the motion for three folding boards. One other motor to control
the stacking mechanism to open so that the folded clothes fall down to the stack.
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3.8. CONCEPT #6 – “FLIPPING STACK”
Figure 7 Concept #6 “Flipping Stack”

An electrical control unit (ECU) controls one motor to rotate in one or several cycles to flip the
folding boards in a certain sequence and then flip the stacking board to stack the clothes.
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4. CONCEPT SELECTION
4.1. CONCEPT SCORING MATRIX
Table 5 Weighted Score Matrix
Table 5 Analytic Hierarchy Process
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4.2. EXPLANATION OF WINNING CONCEPT SCORES

AD 6 (alternative design #6) successfully combined metrics from AD1 and AD 3. AD 6 uses a
gear combination controlled by an electrical control unit (ECU). AD6 only uses two motors
which save a lot of space and components cost. Two motors are connecting gear combinations
and gears rotate in one or several cycles to flip the folding boards in a certain sequence and then
flip the stacking board to stack the clothes. AD6 uses a better gear structure than AD3 which is
safer and much more efficient. In conclusion, AD6 is the most ideal design. With only two
motors and two sets of gear combinations, this design will cause less noise and is also lighter
than the other alternative design.
4.3. EXPLANATION OF SECOND-PLACE CONCEPT SCORES

The four boards are driven by set of gears. The gears consist of different sizes so that they will
drive each board at different sequence when power is provided from the power cord. The gears
can also be switched for different clothing patterns. The final board in the middle will flip the
piece of clothing on top of the sliding door, which opens to a storage inside the machine. The
storage can be opened by a door on the side. This design needs a larger space for the storage and
cannot solve the problem of how to drive two sets of boards in two different directions since it
can only drive the boards in one direction with the gear combination shown. However, it
provides a general idea of how to drive the boards.
4.4. EXPLANATION OF THIRD-PLACE CONCEPT SCORES

AD5 uses spring support and crank structure to either lift or pull shirt folding board back.
Generally, AD5 still use similar structure as AD6 and AD3 with a hollow base. However, AD5
need use 4 motors to drive each different board, which is time consuming and costy. In addition,
4 motors may cause more electrical hazards and louder noise. Based on the safety-first rule, AD5
cannot be our optimal design.
4.5. SUMMARY OF EVALUATION RESULTS

We have 12 selection criteria including mechanical safety, cost of components, volume, noise,
resembling, weight, time efficiency, size adjustability, pattern switch, customer friendliness and
electrical safety. In deciding weight for each of those above selection criterion, we used analytic
hierarchy process. We followed the principle of our ideal final design and safety-first rule.
Because our ideal final design aims to be home-use cloth folding machine that can help to
increase time efficiency and decrease human work, safety, time efficiency and customer
friendliness are top influential factors.
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5. EMBODIMENT & FABRICATION PLAN

5.1. ISOMETRIC DRAWING WITH BILL OF MATERIALS
Figure 8 Isometric drawing with bill of material of the clothes folding machine.
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5.2. EXPLODED VIEW
Figure 9 Exploded view of the clothes folding machine.
5.3. ADDITIONAL VIEWS
Figure 10 Additional exploded view of the folding machine.
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Figure 11 Additional view of the machine.
6. ENGINEERING ANALYSIS
6.1. ENGINEERING ANALYSIS RESULTS
6.1.1.Motivation
Clause 5 Section 3 Electrical Hazards ISO 10472-5:1997
Clause 5 Section 5 Hazards generated by noise
These standards indicates the limit on noise and electrical hazard for industrial cloth folding
machines. However, we think they are still a good indications of how our design should be in a
household environment. As a result, we will use a DC power supply to drive our stepper motor,
which generates less noise at a lower voltage than an AC power supply. Therefore, our supply
will have lower electrical hazard.
To make our design work, we need the exact dimensions of the parts we are using or otherwise
there will be harmful interfaces among them.

6.1.2.Summary Statement of the Analysis

We used Solidworks Motion to test if we have any clashing parts. The main working mechanism
of our design is a combination of gears and cranks. We created the models of them in Solidworks
and used motion simulation to determine the proper dimensions. We simulated the motion of the
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mechanism by adding a motor and plotted the torque of the motor.
Figure 12 Torque driven by the motor.
Figure 13 Angular displacement comparison of the two left and right flipping boards.
In addition, figure 15, 17 18 show the mechanism of the working system. A stepper motor is
driving the gear combinations to further to make two-sides boards flip. And another DC motor
will drive the middle board to flip downward.
6.1.3.Methodology
Most of our analyses were done on Solidworks before we build our prototype such as our gears’
sizes, their pitch and numbers of teeth. The Solidworks files of the gears were downloaded from
Mcmaster, and we tried different combinations on Solidworks to finally determine the best gear
models for our design. We also created the models of cranks and crank attachments in
Solidworks. We determined the dimension of the cranks and attachments using motion
simulations in Solidworks. After our Solidworks design, we laser cut our parts and assembled
them for tests. We also tested some of our design using 3D printed parts.
6.1.4.Results
We found that the 3D printed parts were not suitable for our design, mainly because they are
unstable and relatively weaker in compression than wood. Additionally, the first pair of gears we
used had a very large number of teeth and this made it too hard for the gears to engage smoothly.
Thus we reduced our pitch while keeping the same pitch diameters to reduce the numbers of
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teeth. This can also reduce the torque needed for the motor. Also, using Solidworks, we were
able to determine the dimensions and positions of our parts to make our machine function
properly and smoothly.
6.1.5.Significance
The final prototype is based on the analysis of the results because dimensions of cranks and
crank attachments determines if flipping boards can work. Our analysis results helped us
determine the proper dimensions and made our design finally work as a prototype. The material
of the shafts were changed from plastic to wood because our analysis showed that the plastic
shafts were not strong enough. The analysis significantly benefited our design.
Figure 14 Before analysis Solidworks Design
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Figure 15 After analysis Solidworks Design
6.2. PRODUCT RISK ASSESSMENT
6.2.1. Risk Identification

Risk Name: Electric Hazard
Description: According to the safety code, the standard voltage should be around 110V. And in
some circumstances such as poor connect and leakage of electricity. During either dry or rainy
days, poor connect and leakage of electricity may cause direct contact between people and
electricity, result in dangerous situations.
Impact: 4
Likelihood: 2
Risk Name: Noise Hazard

Description: Since ideal cloth folding machine is a household electric appliance, noise of
operation must be below the noise standard. Normally, the noise level of cloth folding machine
should be way below the standard. However, only if the main shaft is off the link or there is no
enough lubricant oil inside the stepper motor, noise of operation could be a hazard.
Impact:2
Likelihood:1
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Risk Name: Electromagnetic Radiation Hazard

Description: As other household electric appliance, cloth folding machine still have
electromagnetic radiation effects on users or anybody at home to some extent while in operation.
Electromagnetic radiation hazard is bad to human’s health.
Impact:1
Likelihood:4
Risk Name: Mechanical Risk

Description: In designing the cloth folding machine, it should be a 30X31X11 inch box with shirt
folding board. The total weight of the machine should not more that 20lbs. Ideally, all the parts
are connected by screws. However, cloth folding machine will fall apart or even crack under
crash because the main material is wood.
Impact: 5
Likelihood:1
Risk Name: Operational Risk

Description: Since operation requires all the three boards flip upward and downward, it is kind of
dangerous for user to put either shirts or pants on the flipping boards. Users’ hands may get
clamped during operation, causing injuries.
Impact:3
Likelihood: 2
Risk Name: Quality Risk

Description: Since all the parts are manually made or cutted from huge wood boards. It is likely
that the edge of parts are not completely sanded. In that case, small splinters may hurt users.
Impact:2
Likelihood:3
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6.2.2. Risk Heat Map
Figure 16 Risk assessment heat map
6.2.3. Risk Prioritization

Rank of risk prioritization: Electrical Leakage > Flip board clamp = Small splinters > Machine
cracks > Electromagnetic Radiation > Noise Hazard.
Based on the risk assessment heat map, the first priority of the project is electrical leakage.
Flipping board clamp and small splinters have the same weight of risk impact. Machine cracks,
electromagnetic radiation and noise hazard have relatively little risks and impacts. Design
Documentation
7.1 DESIGN DOCUMENTATION

7.2 PERFORMANCE GOALS
1. It will complete one switch cycle in less than 20 seconds.
2. It should be portable, i.e. less than 20 pounds.
3. It will complete 10 cycles consecutively without failure.
4. It will have at least 2 folding patterns.
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7.3 WORKING PROTOTYPE DEMONSTRATION
7.3.1 Performance Evaluation

The final product succeeded in folding half of the shirt. The flipping board on the left worked
well and folded the left half of the shirt, while the other half of the shirt was not folded because
the flipping board on the right side did not rotate to a large enough degree and the angular
velocity did not reach a certain value. The performance can be improved by changing the
dimensions and positions of the gear-crank mechanism to rotate the right flipping board by a
larger degree.
7.3.2 Working Prototype – Video Link

https://youtu.be/vkcJy7h9Dms
7.3.3 Working Prototype – Additional Photos
Figure 17 Overview of the working prototype
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Figure 18 Gear driven by the DC Motor behind for the top board
7.4 FINAL PRESENTATION – VIDEO LINK

https://youtu.be/OTIuf46fZ0g
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8. DISCUSSION
8.1 DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURING – PART REDESIGN FOR INJECTION MOLDING
8.1.1 Draft Analysis Results
Figure 19 Draft analysis result for injection molding
7.1.2 Explanation of Design Changes

We changed the number of teeth of the gear and the thickness of the gear. As the number of teeth
and the thickness reduce, less work would be required for us to laser cut the wooden board. It
also helps the gear engage better with each other since there would be more space between every
two teeth. It also makes it easier to take the gear out by reducing the contacting area.
We modified the shape of the board for the platform so they can fit better with each other.
8.2 DESIGN FOR USABILITY – EFFECT OF IMPAIRMENTS ON USABILITY
8.2.1 Vision
Vision impairment is a common type of disability. At first, we intended to place two stickers
with pictures on the buttons in the prototype to show the usage for each button. However, as we
take into account the effect of vision impairment on usability, we will 3D print our buttons so
that it shows the usage of each button in Braille in addition to the stickers.
Page 32 of 43
8.2.2 Hearing
Our product design would not be influenced by hearing impairment on usability since the usage
of our product is not dependent on sound. A hearing impaired customer can operate the machine
without fail by following the instructions on the machine. The sound of the machine running may
notify the user whether the machine is on or not, as well as whether or not there is any faulty
party in the running system. However, all of these can also be detected easily from observing the
machine.
8.2.3 Physical
Physical impairment influences our design greatly. We tried to reduce the weight and dimensions
of our cloth folding machine while keeping it stable and strong. We may incorporate a wheel
system in the final product for ease of moving the machine.
8.2.4 Language
Language barrier has always been an important factor in our design choice. Therefore, we tried
to come up with a simple and user friendly design. An example is that we will print stickers with
simple step-by-step instructions with images so that users with little or no English can still
operate our machine with ease.
8.3 OVERALL EXPERIENCE
8.3.1 Does your final project result align with the initial project description?
Our final result achieved our our goal of folding clothes and it has a structure to allow it to
switch patterns between folding shirts and folding pants. But we did not make it work perfectly
because of some mistakes in part selection and lack of funds. We could not add the switch button
to switch the patterns.
8.3.2 Was the project more or less difficult than you had expected?
It was more difficult than we expected. The design of the mechanical part was really difficult.
We came up with the working idea early at the beginning, but when we tried to realize it, we
found it really difficult to make the dimensions right. A minor imprecision could result in a lot of
work to correct the mechanism.
8.3.3 In what ways do you wish your final prototype would have performed
better?
We tried to actually fold a shirt with our machine, but it did not work perfectly. We wish the
machine can actually fold at least a shirt in a good shape.
8.3.4
Was your group missing any critical information when you evaluated
concepts?
We were missing the volume of the prototype and thickness of boards when we evaluated the
concepts. The volume of the whole machine is bigger than we expected. And the flipping boards
cannot cover the whole case.
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8.3.5 Were there additional engineering analyses that could have helped guide
your design?
We did engineering analysis on the motor torque and the angular displacements of our flipping
boards. It helped us a lot to design the gears and cranks. We could also have done some analysis
on the shaft to improve the performance.
8.3.6 How did you identify your most relevant codes and standards and how they
influence revision of the design?
Because we are designing a household appliance, we identify most relevant codes and standards
are those apply to home-use appliance. Therefore, we were doing our design under the
constraints of relative codes or standard. For example, we are trying to minimize the noise
hazard and electrical hazard to follow the rules.
8.3.7 What ethical considerations (from the Engineering Ethics and Design for
Environment seminar) are relevant to your device? How could these
considerations be addressed?
The relevant considerations include the consumption of energy and the safety of the machine.
The machine will be using electricity and the user need to interact with the machine. Since the
machine has several electrical and mechanical parts that may cause potential harm to people, it is
important to ensure the safety of the machine.
8.3.8 On which part(s) of the design process should your group have spent more
time? Which parts required less time?
We should have spent more time on the switch of patterns and the control of the motors. The
circuits part is equivalently important to the mechanical part but we did not spent as much time
as we spent on mechanical part. The purchasing of materials and parts required less time.
8.3.9 Was there a task on your Gantt chart that was much harder than expected?
Were there any that were much easier?
Actually, most of the tasks on Gantt chart are harder than expected. For example, there is no
ideal gears with ideal teeth numbers and sizes in the market. Therefore, we had to build gears by
ourselves using laser cutter. In addition, adjusting the crank positions on gears is also harder than
expected. It took us countless times to adjust position of the gears, cranks and flipping boards.
There are some tasks were much easier like building cases, simulating folding process in
solidworks.
8.3.10 Was there a component of your prototype that was significantly easier or
harder to make/assemble than you expected?
The gear and cranks were significantly harder than we expected. It required a lot of simulation
and adjustment to make the cranks work properly and to avoid interfaces.
8.3.11 If your budget were increased to 10x its original amount, would your
approach have changed? If so, in what specific ways?
If our budget were increased to 10 times the original amount, we would use better techniques to
fabricate the gear and we will make our circuits more reliable by replacing the parts such as
Page 34 of 43
motors, switched and wires. We could also increase the amount of motors to make it easier for
the machine to work.
8.3.12 If you were able to take the course again with the same project and group,
what would you have done differently the second time around?
If I were able to take the course again, I would do the design process in a more organized way
and plan things earlier.
8.3.13 Were your team member’s skills complementary?

We made a good team by cooperating properly and contributing equally. Some of us is good at
making documents, some of us is good at hands-on work, and some of us is good at electronic
work.
8.3.14 Was any needed skill missing from the group?

We needed more skills of doing calculations for machine design. We did not do a lot of math
work in the process, but it would have helped us better design the parts. We also need to sharpen
the skills to do circuits.
8.3.15 Has the project enhanced your design skills?

The project enhanced my design skills a lot especially in terms of design using solidworks. We
used Solidworks to build our theoretical models and assembly, and we used Solidworks to
simulate the motion so that we can modify the shapes and dimensions of each part.
8.3.16 Would you now feel more comfortable accepting a design project assignment at a job?
I would feel more comfortable accepting a design project assignment at a job now. I am more
used to the process of design and I learned a lot of new skills in designing. I am more confident
in design than before.
8.3.17 Are there projects you would attempt now that you would not have attempted before?
We would attempt to make a soccer robot because this project require lots of electrical work,
which can be a good practice.
Page 35 of 43
Appendix A - Parts List

Part Source Supplier Color Unit Tax Shippin Quantit Total
Link Part , TPI, price ($0.00 if g y price
Number other tax
part exemptio
IDs n
applied)
1 Case Machine N N $5.00 $0.00 $0.00 1 $5.00

Bottom shop
2 Case Top Machine N N $5.00 $0.00 $0.00 1 $5.00

shop
3 Crank Machine N N $2.00 $0.00 $0.00 8 $16.00

shop
4 Crank Machine N N $2.00 $0.00 $0.00 4 $8.00

Attachme shop
nt
5 Folding Amazon N Blue $9.99 $1.00 $1.00 1 $11.99

Boards
6 Motor McMaste 6142K58 Black $59.8 $3.00 $5.00 1 $67.83

r 3
7 Large McMaste 57655K54 Whit $18.2 $1.00 $3.00 5 $95.35

gear r e 7
8 Small McMaste 57655K53 Whit $6.65 $1.00 $1.00 1 $8.65

gear r e
9 Shaft McMaste 1327K3 Silve $4.28 $1.00 $1.00 1 $6.28

r r
10 Screws McMaste 90930A52 Silve $4.35 $1.00 $1.00 1 $6.35

and r 0 r
fasteners
Total $230.4
: 5
Page 36 of 43
APPENDIX B - CAD MODELS
Figure 20 The side boards for the case of the clothes folding machine. The case boards
are nailed together.
Page 37 of 43
Figure 21 The top and bottom boards for the casing.
Figure 22 The middle board to holding the set of gears to drive the left and right
flipping boards.
Page 38 of 43
Figure 23 The crank attachment placed between the flipping board and the crank on
the gears.
Figure 24 The left crank to drive the left flipping board
Page 39 of 43
Figure 25 The right crank to drive the right flipping board.
Figure 26 The top flipping board
Page 40 of 43
Figure 27 The two flipping boards on the side
Figure 28 The stationary board below the top flipping board of the folding machine to
hold folded clothes
Page 41 of 43
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Selker, Ted, and Gal Rozov. Fabric article folding machine and method. 10 Mar. 2015.
“Fabric article folding machine and method, a invention that folds fabric articles automatically. It
uses a rotating rod in combination with a retractable concave/convex tape to create pairs of folds
on a fabric article on a horizontal platform. “
Warren, James M.Device for folding articles. 25 Aug. 1995.
“Device for folding articles, a device for folding flexible articles such as shirts, towels, piece
goods by comprising a generally flat main member with two side panels foldable attached to the
main member. “
ISO 10472-5
This standard is the safety requirements for industrial laundry machinery, and it is intended to
instruct the designer of industrial laundry machinery in a systematic manner regarding the
relevant safety requirements and to suggest possible safety solutions.
Page 42 of 43

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Washington University in St.

Cloth Folding Machine

Follow this and additional works at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/mems411

MEMS 411: Senior Design Project

1. Introduction and Background Information 6

2. ​Customer Needs & Product Specifications 8

3.7 ​Concept #5 – “Drop-off stack” 18

5. ​Embodiment & Fabrication plan 22

Appendix B - CAD Models 37

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.2. EXISTING PRODUCTS

1.3. RELEVANT PATENTS

1.4. CODES & STANDARDS

1.5. PROJECT SCOPE

1.6. PROJECT PLANNING

1.7. REALISTIC CONSTRAINTS

1.7.10. Life Cycle

1.8. REVISED PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2. CUSTOMER NEEDS & PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Table 1 Customer interview and interpreted need

Address: Washington University in St. Louis

Question Customer Interpreted Need Importanc

What safety considerations Machine is family The CFM has no sharp 5

Likes - Current Products Easy to operate The CFM is user 5

2.2. INTERPRETED CUSTOMER NEEDS

Table 2 Interpreted customer needs

1 The cloth folding machine can be operated in multiple 5

2 The CFM can be operated at home 3

3 The CFM can fold pants or shirts simultaneously 5

4 The CFM can be moved 4

5 The CFM is quiet 4

6 The Cost of CFM is low 4

7 The CFM is time efficient 5

8 The CFM is user friendly 4

9 The CFM is safe to use 5

2.3. TARGET SPECIFICATIONS

Table 3 Target product specifications for cloth folding machine

1 2,4,6,8 Weight Kg 10-30 <=2 Customer

2 2,4,6,8 Volume m3 1-2 <=2 Customer

3 2 ,4,6,8 Height m 0.5-1 <=1 Customer

4 1, 7 Efficiency clothes/mi 5-10 20 Customer

5 2,4 Size adjustability Integer 1-5 4 Customer

6 5 Sound level dB < 40-70 < 50 Standard

7 8 Force needed to N 10-30 10 Customer

8 8,9 Voltage needed V 110 110 Standard

Figure 1 Function tree for cloth folding machine

3.2. MORPHOLOGICAL CHART

Table 4 Morphological Chart

Interface with clothes

Allow switch between

Flip boards to fold

Stack folded clothes

3.3. CONCEPT #1 – “CLOTH FOLDING BOARD”

Figure 2 Concept #1 – “Cloth folding board”

3.4. CONCEPT #2 – “CLOTH FOLDING HANGER”

Figure 3 Concept #2 “Folding Hanger”

3.5. CONCEPT #3 – “GEAR-DRIVEN BOARD”

Figure 4 Concept #3 “Gear-driven board”

3.6. CONCEPT #4 – “RAIL FOLDING MACHINE”

2. Customer Needs & Product Specifications 8

3.7 Concept #5 – “Drop-off stack” 18

5. Embodiment & Fabrication plan 22