WASHBOT 3XM
Seven years ago PX Machines set out to design an in-bay automatic that would minimize the touch-free vs. friction debate and comfortably satisfy the needs of all automatic wash customers. The machine would not only need to wash well, it would need to:
- Have Advanced, Believable, and Marketable Technology.
- Be Simple and Reliable.
- Deliver a Safe and Comfortable friction wash.
- NOT Intimidate Touch-free customers.
- Wash new smaller cars effectively.
In the Spring of 2012 PX Machines filed for a Patent and Trademark on:
What is WashBOT?
WashBOT is unique and marketable as a true “Wash Robot.” Secondly, WashBOT has the ability to connect and disconnect various wash attachments as required.
Consider what this means ~
- WashBOT has a unique, impressive aesthetic.
- The customer’s attention will be drawn to the mobility of this compact unit.
- The rotation of the machine, the attaching and detaching of components, make it a wash worth experiencing for the robotic acrobatics alone.
- Additionally, we wanted a system that is technologically advanced enough that people feel secure taking their pricey automobiles thru.
- It will likely even persuade the reluctant touch-free customers to try the advanced soft touch wash.
- It has the ability to connect and disconnect various wash attachments as required. This means that when used together, WashBOT becomes the most powerful in-bay automatic of any type, ever designed!
- It’s not just another HYBRID. WashBOT can be installed as a strictly high performance touch-free in-bay automatic or a strictly high performance soft-touch In-bay automatic.
- Additionally, the system has resistive motor detection and a positioning sensor to determine if the brush needs to be adjusted further, or if the brush is against an obstacle.
- The machine rotates completely around the vehicle. Washing the sloped back of SUV vehicles is easier since the robot is able to rotate around to wash the area specifically with a top or mitter curtain. All of this is done with 4 motors.
- The attachment adapter can hold the brush either in a rigid or loose manner to complete the best wash then safely dock the side brush.
- With robotic control on one side brush and a 3D map, even the smallest of vehicles can be safely washed.
- The system is designed as an optimal overhead presentation to the customer with minimal if any components on the floor.
- Side washing brushes and arms are further away from the driveway than any other system, with entry walls potentially blocking wash attachment view.
Wouldn’t it be great if a customer asked for a touch free wash from a hybrid and never saw the brushes?
See article: http://www.carwash.com/articles/the-third-option-hybrid-washing-2
Some may feel it is difficult to determine how reliable a new design, especially a radically new design, is going to be. Here are some reliability factors to take note of:
- The motors, either encoded VFD or industrial IP67 servomotors have come down significantly in price, and the technology is much more solid than years ago.
- WashBOT employs only 3 motors and NO GEARBOXES for the touch free machine with ultimate leveraged functionality!
- There are no extra motors for blower positioning.
- The docking attach/detach adapters are a very simple design utilizing both a pin locking mechanism and dual engagement pins to lock the side attachment into either the robot or the docking station.
- There is adequate compliance to account for backlash, belt stretch and age related idler wheel wear.
- One air cylinder locks the side adapter into both positions.
- The simplicity of the friction wash is even more impressive given the level of functionally.
- As opposed to the few in-bay automatics with mitter curtains that need a retract mechanism and gearing to move the curtain during normal wash processes, WashBOT’s simple locking mechanism allows the mitter to be stored away.
- An added benefit to this storage capability is that the extra weight of the brushes and curtain are not carried during other wash processes
Note some of it’s unique features in more detail:
Contact us for a personalized quote – The PX Machines Design Team