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Concrete-free washing machines are lighter to transport, just as good in a spin

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Re: Concrete-free washing machines are lighter to transport, just as good in a spin

#131

Post by KGIII »

switch007 wrote: post #93
rsynnott wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because no-one wants to pay for that. Washing machines which last exist, but they're expensive. They use sturdier, more easily replaceable parts, higher quality motors and control systems, etc. And sometimes _iron_ counterweights (even more CO2 there). You can get a washing machine that might last perhaps 5-10 years for about 200-300 euro... or a Miele one that'll probably last over 20 years for 1000 euro. It's a har…

My problem is that I'm willing to spend the money but I'm worried about getting burnt. It can be difficult to ascertain what product is worth spending money on and how much extra to spend exactly. There is zero guarantee of spending more to get higher quality and longer life. It takes a lot of research. You need to be really, really determined to follow the "Buy It For Life" way.

A bit less than ten years ago, I had my home built and purchased nothing but high-end industrial appliances. I admit, this was costly and I made similar viewpoint purchases for the rest of the house.

So far, I've not had to have anything repaired - at all. I haven't even had to change an appliance lightbulb. I just keep the consumables replaced on schedule.

Initially, it was quite expensive. I do think it may be cheaper on the long run.

Re: Concrete-free washing machines are lighter to transport, just as good in a spin

#132

Post by s0rce »

tim333 wrote: post #49
taoufix wrote: post #28

I never knew washing machines had concrete in them :(

Yeah, check out Secret Life Of Machines 104 The Washing Machine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baFaEvBywGc&feature=youtu.be... they show what happens if you take the block out. Also how comercial machines do without it by balancing the load.

The automatically filled pockets to balance industrial washing machines are very interesting.

Re: Concrete-free washing machines are lighter to transport, just as good in a spin

#133

Post by rsynnott »

petra wrote: post #112
rsynnott wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've never been convinced about the idea of serious engineered failure for this type of device. I think there are two problems, both consumer-related; price sensitivity (adjusted for inflation, these machines are far cheaper than they used to be) and demand for features (more modes, smartphone integration, bigger drum, higher spin speed), and something has to give. If you compare a low-end washing machine, say a Whir…

I'd be convinced that companies are seriously interested in offering good value combined with reliability or just repairability, when they'll start seriously marketing their products as such[1]. So far, only miele does that marketing, but sadly without the price. [1]Gigabyte did/does that with motherboards, their ultra-durable line, when they tell you all kind of technical stuff(like "we use tantalum capacitors" whic…

Bosch kind of markets that way, though as mentioned elsewhere in the thread, they may not be as reliable or serviceable as they used to be.

Re: Concrete-free washing machines are lighter to transport, just as good in a spin

#134

Post by KGIII »

rplst8 wrote: post #129

How about we just reuse the concrete blocks? They don't wear out do they?

That seems rather inefficient and as though you'd want a standard across many models. I suspect it's worse than just crushing it up for reuse.

Re: Concrete-free washing machines are lighter to transport, just as good in a spin

#135

Post by chillingeffect »

blkhawk wrote: post #7

Newer washing machines have less concrete in them that before - My guess would be that in the past the water tank would have been to large to actually fit the machine. I also wonder how the plastic will stand up to the vibrations. You might get leaks because the plastic will flex and eventually rupture from stress. The reason why newer machines have less counterweight is that the motors are electronically regulated t…

Hell why not use rocks on a shelf?

p.s. have you heard of new washing machine motors that re-magnetize the stator between cycles? One high-torque config for agitation, then a high-speed config for spinning!

Re: Concrete-free washing machines are lighter to transport, just as good in a spin

#136

Post by KGIII »

Salamat wrote: post #115

So it is an old idea in a new usage.Water filled road barriers have been there for ages."The Jersey barrier, also called New Jersey wall, was developed in the 1950s (introduced in current form in 1959), at the Stevens Institute of Technology,[1] New Jersey, United States, under the direction of the New Jersey State Highway Department to divide multiple lanes on a highway". Wikifelia.

Interestingly, they first used movable concrete barriers in the late 1940s, in California. The plastic ones came out in the late 60s. Some of them contain sand or concrete.

Err...

I modeled traffic. I spent as much time as I could being on-site for data collection. I've also spent way too much mental energy on learning about roads. This is because I am still largely a child, even though I'm old.

Re: Concrete-free washing machines are lighter to transport, just as good in a spin

#137

Post by Matt_Mickiewicz »

vbuwivbiu wrote: post #3
the-dude wrote: post #2

This seems to be such an incredible innovation, the questions arise : is it really feasible and why has it not happened before?

it's one of those ideas that seems so obvious and sensible in retrospect it makes you wonder how many other stupid designs are hidden in plain view, and why did this problem not get solved until 2017, when there are robots on Mars and probes orbiting Jupiter and Saturn ?

Just think about the time gap between the invention of the wheel and until the 1970's when someone finally thought of attaching them to a suitcase!

Re: Concrete-free washing machines are lighter to transport, just as good in a spin

#139

Post by s0rce »

trias wrote: post #85
jakobegger wrote: post #64

Water has a density of 1000kg/m3 whereas concrete has a density of 2300kg/m3. Your washing machine will end up a bit bigger if you want the same counterweight. Some washers even have cast iron counterweights (7000kg/m3).

what about sand? comes close to concrete but is easily (re)fillable.

and never gets moldy

Re: Concrete-free washing machines are lighter to transport, just as good in a spin

#140

Post by drewmol »

rtkwe wrote: post #86
agumonkey wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah fair enough. It's just that this summer lots of roadwork around used very large concrete mdules.

A lot of roadworks takes place well away from a convenient source of water like a hydrant so the water has to be transported out there for the water filled barriers. So there's some savings since you don't have to take the whole weight back to storage and the distance the bulk of the weight travels is probably lower.

In addition, looks like Concrete barriers are rated up to NCHRP 350 Test Level 5. Water filled Level 2, those linked to above are Level 1.

https://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv19/05-0149-O.pdf

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