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A university student thinks he can fix your shaky washing machine

Dylan Knight has created a counterweight that he claims can cut vibrations and help the environment.
Dylan Knight has created a counterweight that he claims can cut vibrations and help the environment. Dylan Knight has created a counterweight that he claims can cut vibrations and help the environment.

A student from Nottingham Trent University believes his washing machine invention could save both energy and carbon emissions if put into practice.

Product design student Dylan Knight, along with Professor of Intelligent Engineering Systems Amin Al-Habaibeh, developed a hollow plastic counterweight, which is then filled with water, to stop washing machines vibrating during spin cycles.

Washing machine counterweight
Washing machine counterweight
(Nottingham Trent University)

Currently, most counterweights are made using concrete blocks of more than 25kg, but Knight said testing of his alternative product proved it could be just as effective, better for the environment and make transport of the appliance easier.

“Concrete is actually quite bad for the environment due to the CO2 released when it’s produced,” he said.

“The use of concrete is also the reason why washing machines are normally very heavy to move.

“The hollow container is left unfilled until the appliance is installed. We found it worked as good as a concrete counterweight, stopping the spinning drum from heavily vibrating the machine.”

Professor Amin Al-Habaibeh and student Dylan Knight
Professor Amin Al-Habaibeh and student Dylan Knight
(Nottingham Trent University)

The invention was created as part of a live brief for students from product design firm Tochi Tech Ltd, who worked with researchers and students at the university to try to find solutions for appliance manufacturing.

However, there is no word on if or when any further development or production of the counterweight will take place.

washing machine counterweight
washing machine counterweight
(Nottingham Trent University)

Professor Al-Habaibeh said: “This sustainable solution not only reduces cost and energy needed for transportation, but also provides ergonomic and health and safety benefits to those physically handling washing machines.

“This is a great example of how we integrate our teaching and learning processes and research with industry, to solve real problems and support job creation.”