Obsolescence or Sustainability?

Our washing machine recently broke down and I was reminded that I am both an editor and an electrical engineer. It was manufactured by a well-known industry-leading company and just a few years old. So, being an engineer, I opened it up and checked the pump because the code on the display indicated that this was the problem. Everything was dry and the tubes, gaskets etc. were in perfect condition. Eventually, I realized that the pump motor was broken, so I ordered a new one - which worked outside the washing machine but not when it was driven by the machine. I checked what I could do without access to the schematics, documentation or an oscilloscope. Finally, I realized that it was the power electronic unit that was broken: a power semiconductor as well as an accompanying device (a diode?) had blown up (the package literally exploded, but as the entire PCB was filled with SMDs, so I was unable to repair it). So, I ordered a new power unit, and the washing machine is in service again. I found it difficult disposing of an entire and complex board, only because of the failure of two tiny components. Exchanging the pump’s motor was fine, and in terms of cost it was just 15 % of the cost of a new washing machine, but the power electronic unit cost another 40 % of the cost of a new washing machine. Whenever a non-engineer encounters such a failure the person has to call the service partner who roughly charges another 20 % of the cost of a new machine for his time. Even for me, this was basically an economic total failure and maybe I should have bought a new machine, which always come with a two-year warranty.
So, basically, the failure of a power semiconductor weighing just one gram turned a 70,000 g machine into scrap metal/concrete/plastic from an economic point of view. This may be good for the economy, but it is a small disaster for the environment. I personally think that we need to find better trade-offs between high-cost pressure and design for repairability in an economic way. With an extra cost of may be two Euros/Dollars on the BOM we might be able to significantly facilitate cheap repairs. If the marketing people could promote this aspect in a positive way, they could probably be able to charge an extra 10 Euros/Dollars more for the machine on the consumer market, even in the extremely competitive market of white goods. However, it would need to be highlighted as a benefit.
Let’s continue to talk about such aspects of repairability at Bodo’s WBG Event on December 3 and 4 in Munich. At this unique conference, engineers will receive a comprehensive view and insight on today’s GaN and SiC solutions. By the way: If you are quick and book your tickets between October 1 and 18 you will receive an extra early bird discount – only on www.bodoswbg.com.

Bodo’s magazine is delivered by postal service to all places in the world. It is the only magazine that spreads technical information on power electronics globally. We have EETech as a partner serving our clients in North America. If you speak the language, or just want to have a look, don’t miss our Chinese version at bodospowerchina.com. An archive of the magazine with every single issue is available for free at our website bodospower.com. My Green Power Tip for the Month: Design for repairability! Our environment and our planet with its limited resources will thank you.

Kind regards,
Alfred