Mapping the Erie Canal System With Xometry CNC Machined Parts, Sonar, and a Jon Boat

Discover how McLaren Engineering Group used Xometry’s CNC machining service to create adjustable brackets for a multi-beam sonar system surveying New York’s waterways.

Project Brief: McLaren Engineering Group, a U.S.-based multidisciplinary engineering and survey firm with a dedicated marine division that specializes in waterfront construction consulting, was tasked with mapping the underwater topography of New York City’s canal system. To do this, they would need to use a multi-beam sonar system to gather accurate bathymetric data. There was just one problem: the brackets the device came with were not designed to be mounted onto small Jon boats, ideal vessels that were better able to navigate shallow, narrow areas in the canal system.

Solution: The team at McLaren turned to Xometry to produce precisely machined metal brackets that allowed them to not only mount the multi-beam system onto Jon boats but also onto a variety of other boats in their fleet, helping them gather valuable data that is being used to inform future waterfront construction projects.

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