The Lewmar Winch Challenge at Southampton University
For two weeks in January first-year students on the Ship Science degree programme at Southampton University, undertook a challenge to measure, sketch and model the internal gearing parts of two Lewmar winches. One standard size 16 and a larger size 40 Ocean.
As part of their design and computing module, they were required to create 3D CAD models of the gearing stacks ready for 3D printing. Given the time constraints on 3D printers, the students had to decide to go for multiple quick prints with inferior strength or single longer duration prints with higher strength. The results of the challenge were tested by lifting weights. The winning team managed 90kg with the size 16 winch before failure of the gears and 100kg with the size 40 winch. For some teams, the failures were rather spectacular!
The Lewmar Winch Challenge will now be a regular addition to the Ship Science degree at Southampton University.
