Subject Matter Expert Terry Belvin discusses the scale model solutions for the Bollard Deployment Design Sprint with Louisiana Tech University engineering student Brentley Porter March 3 at the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, La. (Sean Green/STRIKEWERX)
By Sean Green | STRIKEWERX Marketing and Communication Director
BOSSIER CITY, La. — STRIKEWERX, Air Force Global Strike Command’s innovation hub, hosted a Design Sprint March 1-3 to help the command’s building security.
The sprint sought to improve upon the storage and deployment of bollards around the AFGSC headquarters building at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
A bollard is a six-foot metal pipe placed in the group to keep vehicles from parking too close. These safety objects prevent a challenge in how quickly they can be deployed and how they are stored when not in use.
Over the course of three days in STRIKEWERX at the Cyber Innovation Center, Bossier City, Louisiana, a team of industry, academia and subject matter experts developed a solution in the form of a hearty A-frame trailer that securely stores the bollards at an angle. This design will allow Airmen to remove the heavy objects easily and safely.
“Seeing the Design Sprint process, being a part of the process, and working with the team, I would like to see more of this for any issues that we can’t solve ourselves,” said Tech Sgt. John Dodd, co-subject matter expert for the sprint.
With an improved solution, the job to deploy and store bollards for airmen can be cut from 6 hours to 1 hour. Other benefits include injury prevention, safer handling and improved deployment timelines.
“I’m in awe of the process. I think it’s a perfect way to solve problems,” said Terry Belvin, sprint co-subject matter expert and facilities manager for AFGSC.
The design for the cart was rendered in 3D software and a scale model was produced by Louisiana Tech University engineering students.
“Working on a real-world project is a lot different than working on a project in an academic setting, it has real world stakes and I believe that makes our solution better,” said Ryan Aamodt, Louisiana Tech University mechanical engineering student. “Being a student and working on a matter of national security makes my education have an impact and creates better learning opportunities.”
The students will now produce a full-scale prototype for further testing and evaluation. Pending results, the prototype could be refined and delivered to AFGSC for implementation.
STRIKEWERX will continue to host Design Sprints to tackle various issues from around the command. For more info on the Design Sprint process, watch this video or email info@strikewerx.com.