Case Study: Mabe achieves 35% washing machine capacity increase, 24% energy improvement, 52% water reduction and 25% faster product development with Altair

Mabe's Continual Performance Improvement of Washing Machines with a Multi-Disciplinary Approach

Mabe, a Mexico-based international appliance manufacturer, needed to continually improve washing machine performance by simulating complex, interacting subsystems to balance capacity, spin stability, energy and water efficiency, cost and time-to-market. To address this, Mabe partnered with Altair and progressively expanded use of Altair’s simulation suite—OptiStruct, Radioss, MotionSolve, Activate and Flux—to move from structural and impact analysis to high-fidelity system- and motor-level co-simulation.

Altair delivered a multi-disciplinary solution: lightweighting and structural optimization with OptiStruct, drop/impact testing with Radioss, 3D motion dynamics with MotionSolve, detailed 1D motor control and system co-simulation with Activate, and motor thermal/electromagnetic analysis with Flux. This approach enabled parametric studies of balance rings, suspension dynamics and realistic motor-basket interactions, yielding measurable gains—capacity +35%, spin speed +24%, energy factor +24%, water factor +52%, cost per cubic foot −10% and product development cycle time −25%—helping Mabe strengthen its market leadership in Latin America.

Mabe

Martin Ortega

Senior Engineer