The situation in the TBM demands a compact and robust vacuum lifter with many positioning options. The vacuum lifter operates as part of the TBM and matches the size and control system.
The vacuum lifter is connected to the erector and places the tunnel segments in the tunnel wall.
To avoid human mistakes we provide vacuum lifters for the TBM with keystone recognition.
One of Aerolift’s current vacuum technology projects is for the tunnel boring machine (TBM) industry. The customer, China Railway Engineering Equipment Co. Ltd. (CREG), is the leading tunnelling machine manufacturer in China and a supply arm of the major Chinese group CREC (China Rail Engineering Corporation), one of the largest, state-owned companies in China. By the aid of vacuum technology Aerolift engineered a handling solution to handle tunnel segments inside the TBM. At the moment this project is under construction and by the end of this year the first vacuum lifters will be shipped to China.
In the current situation the tunnel segments in the TBM were picked up mechanically, but the safety of the situation is insufficient. CREG was looking for a safer alternative. Our engineering department has developed a vacuum lifting device which meets all necessary requirements.
CREG needed a device which translocate tunnel segments from transport to the erector. A second device places the segments in the correct position against the tunnel wall. To develop a good handling solution for this particular situation, also other aspects should be taken into account. It is a very dirty environment and inside the TBM there is only limited space. Despite the wear and tear in a situation like this, the device should last many years with limited maintenance. Also the great forces of the TBM itself should be taken into account.
The situation in the TBM demanded a compact and robust vacuum handling device with many positioning options. The vacuum lifters operate as part of the TBM and should fit perfectly. Not only by size, but also the control system should fit exactly. In the end every part should be working together as one big machine. A great challenge!
Aerolift developed two vacuum handling devices which are capable to handle the tunnel segments including the keystones. The keystones are smaller than the other tunnel segments, so to handle the keystones only a small part of the entire suction pad is used. Both vacuum handling devices are provided with a keystone recognition. This is a safety provision to prevent human mistakes. This system ensures that the entire suction pad is active when lifting a normal size segment (no keystone).
The first handling device picks up the tunnel segments from transport and brings the segments to the erector. During this handling the segments are rotated 90° to meet the erector’s position. This rotating function is integrated in the vacuum handling device to limit the number of needed equipment. Thus, the segment is ready to be picked up by Aerolift’s second vacuum lifter.
The second vacuum lifter functions as part of the erector and is capable to turn 360°, in order to place the tunnel segments in any required positions. This is possible because the vacuum pump is placed in the TBM as separate unit. The vacuum lifter picks up the tunnel segment and places the segment in the required position against the tunnel wall. Every tunnel segment is manually fixed with bolts. In order to gain access to the bolt holes of the keystones, the suction pad in the middle is able to retract and extend.
Vacuum technology can be used in a wide range of industries, such as the concrete industry, paper industry, metal industry, offshore industry, timber industry, glass industry, wind energy industry, piping industry and of course in the TBM industry. Any product with an airtight surface can be handled by vacuum. Interested what vacuum technology can do for you? Please contact our team and ask for the possibilities.
