Jonathan It seems to me that if this automation is being applied to a washer
containing two drums and a manual opperation is required to move parts from
tub a to tub b would it not be worth considering consolidation of the tubs.
This would lead to a mechine which has a single multi purpose tub and
therefore eliminating the manual opperation (benifical no wet hands). This
mechiene would then become a mono tub washing mechine these if i remenmber
corectly were automated in the late 60's and available frolm Phillips,
Hotpoint, Zanussi,Bosch, Ad nausieum. There is a small advantage in this that
with the addition of Hot air to this mono tub device the parts go in dirty
get cleaned and subsquently dried there by eliminating the need to remove the
sodden parts and air dry (post process). I suppose this is a logical
evoulition of the mono tub to washer drier. I believe these are also
available from the above mentioned crowd. In short somthing to do with the
wheel and reinventing springs to mind at this juncture. Would this not
simplify the design of hardware, sensors, software, ect due to the smaller
set of opperational componants you have to work with ?

Sorry but it's 0520 at the monent insomina set in and the sence of humor
became got activated.          Steve.............