Technology / product information

In automatic washing machines, detergent and softener drawers are used frequently.
Uneven pulling and closing force often cause impact noise and rail wear.
KEM (Thailand) developed a dedicated rotary damper for detergent feed ports to control drawer motion — ensuring smooth, quiet, and safe operation while extending rail durability.


🔷 Key Takeaways
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- Rotary Damper + Rail Assist design for washing machine detergent drawers
- Reduces impact and noise during drawer opening and closing
- Constructed with POM / PA66 (Glass Fiber Reinforced) for strength and moisture resistance
- Installation type: Slide Mount
- Tested for tens of thousands of open–close cycles
- Customizable damping specifications for OEM manufacturers


⚙️ Structure & Technical Features
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This damper combines Rotary Damper + Rail Assist structure, installed along the detergent drawer’s sliding rail.
The housing uses POM / PA66 (Glass Fiber Reinforced Engineering Plastic), offering high rigidity and resistance to humidity.

- Mounting Type: Slide Mount
- Operating Temperature: Within normal washing machine temperature range
- Durability: Tested for tens of thousands of open–close cycles
- Customizable: Torque can be adjusted per drawer weight and OEM design

The silicone oil–based damping mechanism controls drawer movement, reducing slamming and vibration when closing or pulling out.


🧠 Soft Motion Design (Japanese Technology)
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KEM integrates Japan’s Soft Motion Design technology into all damper designs.
It allows drawers to open and close smoothly, creating a quiet and premium user experience while reducing wear on rails and cover components.


💡 Value for OEM Applications
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- Reduces impact and noise during drawer operation
- Prevents seal and rail wear
- Improves operational safety in repeated use
- Compatible with automatic closing (Auto-Close) mechanisms
- Adjustable damping per OEM drawer structure


🧪 Quality Control & Testing
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Each product undergoes repeated open–close durability tests and thermal cycle tests to ensure stable damping performance in various temperature conditions.
All production follows the Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd. (Japan) QA standards.

✅ Product testing and data verification are conducted by the KEM (Thailand) Engineering Team,
under the quality control standards established by Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd. (Japan), a leading expert in industrial damper systems and Soft Motion Design engineering [1][2].


📍 Case Example
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This damper is used in both front-load and top-load washing machines by leading global brands.
It ensures smooth, quiet detergent drawer motion and extends the rail structure’s lifespan.


📞 Contact KEM (Thailand)
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For OEM appliance damping solutions, please contact our engineering team for technical consultation or sample requests below.


❓ FAQ
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Q1: Where is the damper installed?
A: In the sliding rail system of the detergent and softener drawer.

Q2: Can the damping force be customized?
A: Yes, according to the drawer’s weight and structure.

Q3: Is it suitable for top-load washing machines?
A: Yes, with adjustable mounting position and motion timing.

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📘 Glossary (Key Terms)
- Rotary Damper: Device that controls rotational motion for smooth and safe operation
- Rail Assist: Damping system supporting sliding motion along rails
- Soft Motion Design: Design concept for smooth, silent movement
- Thermal Cycle Test: Temperature cycling test for durability validation
- POM / PA66: Glass-fiber reinforced engineering plastic for strength and moisture resistance

📚 Reference
[1] Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd. (Japan), QA Standard for Motion Control Components.
[2] KEM (Thailand) Engineering Test Report, 2025.

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🗓️ Updated: 2025-11-07