Exploitable results DESIGN AND PILOT TESTING OF A REMOTE CONTROLLED MICROTUNNEL BORING MACHINE (MTBM) FOR COMPETENT ROCK The project , "design and pilot testing of a remote-controlled micro TBM (MTBM) For competent rock", was initiated on 01.12.93 and completed at the end of May 1997. The initial mix of the four partners, Geodata (Italy), VATT (Germany), Consonda (Italy) has experienced changes of two of the four partners. VATT became Alpine Westfalia; Consonda resigned and was replaced by EdilMac of Italy. The objective of the project was to construct and demonstrate the use of the 1.6m diameter , remote controlled MTBM whose potential applications include rapid excavation of horizontal holes for hydraulic transport, service conduits, and exploratory audits. The technical specifications for the MTBM are given in Table 1. Table 1: MTBM Specifications ITEM SPECIFICATIONS Max cutter load 50kn No. of cutters (disc type) 18 Dia of cutter 180-200mm Cutter head thrust 950kn Gripper thrust 2400kn Variable frequency drive motors, total power for 2 motors 140kw Controllable rpm 0-24 Torque 56kNm Boring Stroke 600mm Curve radius 150m Total weight 25t The Prototype MTBM was assembled in the shop of Voest Alpine, Austria, ( subcontractor Of Alpine Westfalia) and transported to the test site (Sedrina Quarry near Bergamo, Italy) in Late December 1996. The tests for all principal functions of the prototype were performed during boring of the 40m hole in the limestone of Sedrina Quarry. The results of the tests were short of the expectations listed in Table 1 and the machine was deemed not to be marketable without major changes in the design. Searching for OpenAIRE data... There was an error trying to search data from OpenAIRE No results available
