

Thrust cylinders mounted in the tail shield for correct alignment with the segments.High-speed rotary segment erector mounted in the tail shield for perfect alignment with the segments.High-pressure seals on the cutterhead drive, articulation joint and tail shield to prevent water inflow.A high capacity main bearing for reliability and longevity.A “Smooth Flow” design that reduces cutterhead friction.A durable cutterhead with the largest opening capacity in the industry, driven by a proven VFD system.A copy cutter to overcut the tunnel for steering.
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The screw conveyor’s speed and discharge rate is controlled by the operator and is used to control the pressure at the working face and to match the muck discharge rate to the advance rate of the EPBM. The working area inside the EPBM is completely sealed against the fluid pressure of the ground outside the machine.Ī screw conveyor removes the fluidized muck behind the cutterhead and in front of the pressure bulkhead. Robbins EPBMs control the stability of the tunnel face and subsidence of the ground surface by monitoring and adjusting the pressure inside the cutterhead chamber to achieve a balance with the pressure in front of the cutterhead, hence the name “Earth Pressure Balance.” Robbins EPBMs have an articulated shield that is sealed against the pressure of water inflows up to 10 Bar. Loose sedimentary deposits with large boulders and a high water table will challenge ordinary TBMs, but not Robbins EPBMs. What is an Earth Pressure Balance Machine?Įarth Pressure Balance Machines (EPBMs) are shield machines specially designed for operation in soft ground conditions containing water under pressure. From “Smooth Flow” cutterheads that reduce friction to super-reliable back-filling systems and Variable Frequency Cutterhead Drives, Robbins has taken the traditional EPB design to the next level. Our engineers will tailor your EPBM to handle the specific challenges of your project. Nobody has a wider range of experience designing innovative machinery to cope with difficult underground conditions. Robbins has integrated over 50 years of TBM design and jobsite experience into our EPBMs. This is particularly true when your project is located in an urban environment and ground surface subsidence cannot be tolerated.ĮPBMs are utilized in the construction of rail tunnels, metropolitan subway systems, highway tunnels, and other projects where the tunnel will be constructed either partly or completely in soft soil beneath the water table. If the geology of your tunnel ranges from soft soils to weathered rock, then a Robbins Earth Pressure Balance Machine (EPBM) is the correct technical solution for your project.
