2017 DS Stressfree - Business SA Design for Export Awards
Celebrating
South Australia's
Design-led
Exporters
Celebrating
South Australia's
Design-led
Exporters
Celebrating
South Australia's
Design-led
Exporters
Celebrating
South Australia's
Design-led
Exporters
Main menu:
AWARDS > 2017 Gallery
2017 SHORTLIST
STRESS FREE
50 Series ANCHOR WINCHES..
STRESS FREE MARINE PTY LTD
Category
PRODUCT DESIGN
SPORTS & LIFESTYLE
Design
STRESS FREE MARINE
About
Stressfree Marine is Australia’s premier winch and marine equipment manufacturer. We specialize in building anchor winches, using premium materials predominantly for trailerable boats ranging in size from 4-12metres. We are known for both our standard range of anchor winches, and our patented freefall range of anchor winches, featuring one-touch precision anchoring for faster, safer and more reliable operations. Within the last 12 months we have innovated the motor and design of our 50-series range of anchor winches including our 1400watt motor range, especially for the New Zealand market and other global locations with volcanic seabeds, and deeper ocean environments.
Design Challenge
Responding to feedback from fishermen in Wellington and Auckland, and from personal fishing trips in New Zealand by our owners, the engineering team saw an opportunity to increase the speed of their 50-series range of anchor winches in deeper waters – as many competing winches delivered slower results. Further research and knowledge of water depths in locations globally, also helped our Stressfree Marine team to determine the value for future business growth, in enhancing our existing range. The latest evolution of the Stressfree Marine Freefall anchor winch achieves exactly that. From shaft upgrades, to a more agile gearbox, Stressfree has set a new benchmark in anchor winch speed, safety, durability and functionality.
Design Solution
Choosing to use the Quick-50 series double anodised gearbox in our upgraded anchor winches, has increased protection against corrosion and salt water exposure while improving the speed and agility of our patented anchor winches. By increasing the size of the superior satin finish 316L marine grade stainless steel base plate from 6mm to 8mm, we have also found a way to delivery an even higher level of stability in unpredictable weather conditions. We also offer the highest torque gearbox on any drum winch; the Drive Shaft has increased to 25mm, and the pivot bolt has been reengineered to deliver an extra 8mm of engagement. To further enhance operations on boats up to 10-metres in length, we have updated our 1400watt motors, with modern casing for greater protection and a more streamlined aesthetic, and prewired them with 5 metres of cable, long enough to wire straight to the solenoid, and internal glands to seal the motor to eliminate water egress. These new design and engineering features also offer flexibility for boats with narrow drum capacity. Our innovations have additionally optimised the placement of internal glands giving the greatest protection for the motor, as glands cannot be damaged or dislodged.
Design Impact
Our ongoing focus on Research and Development with our successful standard and patented freefall range of anchor winches ensures we continue to respond to market demand, as well as adapt our Australian built products for growth in number of global marine environments. Our expanded range of anchor winches, suit a wider range of global environments, and based on business development relationships formed in the past few years, we have validated increasing global demand for the Stressfree Marine brand as well as our innovative range of anchor winches. As a long-standing local South Australian business employing a small team, and utilising other local suppliers and component manufactures in our supply chain as much as possible, we appreciate the value of Australian made, while still utilising select European and American components to enhance our product and to leverage relationship with global marine markets. We have also seen the value in ensuring our team are just as passionate about the fishing and boating experience, as our customers. This passion extends beyond our exceptionally engineered marine products, into delivering a value-adding experience to our customers (boat builders, boat dealers and boat owners), who are loyal brand ambassadors both here in Australia and globally.
