Tunnel Boring Machine - 3 To 15 Meter Diameter | Advanced Floating Gripper System, Hydraulic Propel Cylinders, Continuous Steering, Optimal Cutter Head Design

The front of the Tunnel Boring Machine is a rotating cutter head that matches the diameter of the tunnel. The cutter head holds disc cutters (ranging from 11a to 20a in dia) positioned for optimal boring.
As the cutter head turns, hydraulic propel cylinders push the cutters into the rock. The transfer of this high thrust through the rolling disc cutters creates fractures in the rock causing chips to break away from the tunnel face.
A unique floating gripper system pushes on the sidewalls and is locked in place while the propel cylinders extend, allowing the main beam to advance the TBM .
The machine can be continuously steered while gripper shoes push on the sidewalls to react the machinea s forward thrust.
Buckets in the rotating cutter head scoop up and deposit the muck on to a belt conveyor inside the main beam.
At the end of a stroke the rear legs of the machine are lowered, the grippers and propel cylinders are retracted.
Main Beam TBMa s open design allows quick access directly behind the cutterhead for the installation of rock support (rock bolts, steel mesh, ring beams, and shotcrete), making it an ideal solution for unlined tunnels.
Main Beam TBMs are manufactured in diameters from 3 to 15 mtr.