Armor1 (NREC + Salas O’Brien)
A USACE funded project to automate Mississippi river revetment, a currently 300+ person highly manual operation. The final system will autonomously lay tied together concrete mats to prevent river erosion, representing a significant risk reduction and throughput increase of the current process.
Video of current process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLaEksC-Dtg
Video of Automation Project Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuKYNeUMO5w&t=265s
Barge Launch Sep. 2025: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1085069493358595
My Contributions
Barge Deck System - Lead Mechanical Designer
Developed hydraulic cut and clamp launch cable system with line tensions up to 20,000 lbs.
Servo driven chain linked twheel system to positions squares ±0.125” for tying & coordinate motion for parallel launch + tie operations
Scale prototype built on-site for testing and operator training comprised of 4 rows
Manual Tie Tool - Lead
Managed 4-person cross disciplinary team to developed the software, electrical, and mechanical systems
Multiple on-site testing visits culminating in 9 currently deployed units
Lifting Frame Redesign - Mechanical Designer
Came up with new concept to align while landing v. land then align which eliminated the need for overly complex and underperforming “fork truck” style prior system design
Created pneumatically actuated hook system analyzed with SW FEA and tested to withstand 2g acceleration loads with a 4 point grab on over 7,000 lbs. of concrete (2x square grab
