Year: 2021

NASTT No-Dig

Event Name: NASTT No-Dig 2022
Dates: April 10-13, 2022
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Booth: 903

Join experienced Robbins staff at the largest trenchless technology conference in the world, NASTT No-Dig in Minneapolis, MN. Find out more about our line of Robbins Small Boring Units (SBUs) —game changers in the trenchless industry, saving you time and money on your next hard rock or mixed ground utility tunnel.

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罗宾斯的跨模式是世界直径超13米最快的掘进机

2021年10月，施工商Kolin建筑公司、土耳其国家铁路公司（TCDD）和罗宾斯现场服务团队齐集工地现场，一起庆祝并见证这台罗宾斯设计制造的跨模式XRE，同时也是迄今世界上最快的直径超过13米掘进机的贯通。

这是一台直径13.77米，兼并土压平衡模式和硬岩模式的跨模式掘进机XRE，三次刷新了13至14米直径类别掘进机的世界纪录。打破了自己于今年5月和6月创造的世界纪录，包括最佳日掘进32.4米、最佳周掘进178.2米和最佳月掘进721.8米。这台设备于2021年3月始发，为Eşme Salihli铁路隧道开挖长3.05公里， 作为土耳其国家铁路（TCDD）安卡拉至伊兹密尔高速铁路项目的一部分。

“当我们的跨模式掘进机产生的强度、力和扭矩被考虑进去时，我们认为它是一只野兽。它在这条隧道中表现得非常好，”项目承包人Kolin建筑公司的掘进机经理Onur Kansu说。他补充道：“我们为取得如此高的佳绩感到自豪。”

机器开始在蚀变片麻岩中开挖，然后穿过由片麻岩、砂岩、粘土岩、泥岩、石英和粉土组成的混合地质。开挖将近结束时，机器主要在泥岩中挖掘。开挖前每200米进行一次岩芯钻探，因此施工人员对地质情况充满信心，这只是成就创造世界掘进纪录的几个因素之一。Kansu说：“正确的地质分析、选择正确的掘进机、专业的施工人员和相信能够打破纪录的承包商都是关键。”。“计划的维护周期、专家团队、充足的备件供应以及良好的物流也使我们能够达到预期的掘进速率。”

该项目对土耳其隧道行业尤为重要，它展示了在大直径掘进机下的可能性。Kansu说：“我们驳斥了在土压平衡模式下使用大直径掘进机进行开挖时很难达到高速掘进速率的观点。交跨模式掘进机使我们能够在地质交替时找到快速解决方案，因此我们相信它们将是未来项目的首选。”

隧道开挖完成后，连接安卡拉省波拉特勒和土耳其第三大人口城市伊兹密尔的长达508公里线路将继续施工。工程一旦竣工，安卡拉-伊兹密尔高速铁路将成为该国最长的铁路线，整条隧道路程约3.5小时，以250公里/小时的最高速度行驶。

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Tunnel Turkey

Event Name: Tunnel Turkey International Tunnelling Symposium
Dates: December 21-22
Location: Şişli/İstanbul, Turkey
Venue: Fairmont Quasar İstanbul
Booth: Stand 8

Join us December 21^st and 22^nd for the Tunnel Turkey International Tunnelling Symposium in Istanbul. Our team of international experts will be speaking on Robbins’ latest products and projects during the conference, including non-circular innovations for hard rock tunneling. Stop by Robbins’ stand 8 to find out more on our projects in Turkey, including our record-breaking project in Esme! The Esme-Salihli project has bored 32.4 m in a day, 178.2 m in a week, and 721.8 m in a month using Robbins Crossover XRE machine, making it the fastest machine over 13 m in diameter ever recorded.

Robbins Lecture

Non-Circular Tunneling in Rock: A New Way Forward
Presented by Brad Grothen P.E., Robbins Technical Director

Abstract: When a flat roadbed is needed, is a circular TBM the best way to go? In this presentation, Robbins Technical Director Brad Grothen will discuss a mechanical boring machine currently being used in the mining industry for a rectangular tunnel cross section, and the potential for use of this machine in civil tunneling. Grothen will also look at emerging technology to demonstrate that by using non-circular TBMs, a flat invert can be safely and economically created in one pass.

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MDM5000 Brochure

Find out more about Robbins’ innovative solution for underground mining, the MDM5000 (standing for Mine Development Machine with dimensions of 4.5 m x 5.0 m).  The MDM5000 is the world’s first successful rectangular boring machine for hard rock, and creates a flat invert as it bores for road access.

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Reach First Ore Quicker

Deep underground ore bodies require a new approach: Rectangular rock boring machines create access and development drifts with flat inverts that enable immediate use of the tunnel by rubber-tired vehicles. These non-circular tunnel boring machines bore tunnels in rock up to 200 MPa UCS at twice the rate of drill & blast, and with fewer ground support requirements. Find out how to reach your ore body quicker, safer and more cost effectively in this exclusive webinar in conjunction with Mining Magazine.

In this recorded, 60-minute webinar you’ll learn about the successful use of a rectangular rock boring machine at Fresnillo silver mine in Mexico, where the equipment has advanced more than 1,700 meters at rates of up to 191 meters in one month. Listen in as Robbins President Lok Home discusses ongoing developments for underground mining, including ways to directly mine the ore body using tunnel boring machines. The presentation will conclude with a discussion on future developments in underground mining, moderated by Mining Magazine.

WATCH THE RECORDING

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EXPOMIN

Event Name: EXPOMIN
Dates: October 25-29
Location: Santiago, Chile
Venue: Espacio Riesco
Booth: 3-F21, Hall #1

Join Robbins at the most important Mining exhibition in Latin America! EXPOMIN will be hosted in Santiago, Chile from October 25^th to the 29^th. Come learn more about the astonishing work our MDM5000 has been doing at the Fresnillo Mine–the first successful use of a rectangular rock boring machine. Our team of professionals are eager to meet and talk about a solution for your next underground mining project. Check out this map of the exposition hall and look for the Robbins R to find our stand location 3-F21. Stop by to see our latest products and projects!

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Mineria 2021

Event Name: Mineria 2021 International Convention
Dates: October 19-22
Location: Acapulco, Mexico
Venue: Forum Mundo Imperial
Booth: 706-706A

Come join us in Acapulco, Guerrero at the 2021 Mineria International Convention and learn more about Robbins’ latest innovation, the MDM5000. The machine has bored more than 1,700 meters of a mine access tunnel in andesite and shale with quartz intrusions. Stop by the TOPO/Robbins booth 706-706A to see the astonishing work that has been done at Fresnillo mine in Mexico. Meet with Robbins international experts who are ready to discuss a solution for your next underground mining project. 

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Mine Development Machine: Successful Rectangular Rock Bore in Fresnillo, Mexico

A rectangular tunnel boring machine, known as the MDM5000, has successfully bored a hard rock tunnel with flat invert in Fresnillo, Mexico. Watch the video to find out more from Robbins personnel, mine officials, and those operating the new machine on a daily basis.

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Robbins develops Rectangular Rock Mining Machine for Flat Invert

Robbins’ latest innovation is making good headway on a non-circular tunnel excavation in hard rock. The rectangular TBM, known as the MDM5000 (standing for Mine Development Machine with dimensions of 5.0 m x 4.5 m) is capable of excavating a flat tunnel invert for immediate use by rubber-tired vehicles. Employed by Mexico’s oldest silver mine, Fresnillo Plc, the MDM5000 is boring a mine access tunnel in andesite and shale with quartz intrusions that has defied earlier attempts using roadheaders. The successful operation is the result of extensive discussions between Robbins, who designed and supplied the machine, with TOPO machinery and Fresnillo Plc. View the video of the machine in action here.

“We decided to work with Robbins for their experience. A lot of people have tried to provide these kinds of machines but nobody has done it. Robbins used their experience and their skills to provide us with a rectangular profile machine,” said Fidel Morin, Projects Superintendent for Fresnillo Mine.

The technology is not only useful for the mining industry, but also for many applications in civil tunneling. While other machines have been developed for soft ground, the MDM5000 represents the first successful foray into rectangular hard rock tunneling. “We’re very pleased to add non-circular tunneling to our wheelhouse of solutions that continues to include TBMs, conveyors, cutters, and more. We see applications for the MDM wherever a rectangular profile is needed, such as train tunnels requiring a flat invert. In a traditional circular tunnel, the invert is filled or an invert segment is needed, but with the MDM 30% less rock is required to be removed from the profile,” said Robbins President Lok Home.

With more than 1,700 m of advance thus far at rates up to 52 m in one week and 191 m in one month, the MDM is significantly faster than drill & blast excavation. “We’re making history. Fresnillo is always looking for new technology, and we believe that the usage of the MDM5000 is going to be something extremely successful, not only for our company but also for the industry,” said Morin.

The MDM5000 has undergone major component enhancements during the course of its successful bore at Fresnillo mine. It was first transported to the -695 m level of the mine and underwent final assembly and launch in a cavern, where sections of the MDM were moved by crawlers and pieces were lifted by hoist. The machine is now boring a 270-degree spiral to end above the original tunnel.  It will then be backed up to the original tunnel and continue driving straight ahead.

Developed for use in rock up to 200 MPa UCS, the MDM5000 utilizes disc cutter technology proven on traditional, circular TBMs. During excavation a reciprocating cutterhead and swinging cutterhead motion create a rectangular cross section tunnel.

The MDM offers a number of advantages over drill and blast. MDM tunneling has advance rates roughly twice those of a drill and blast heading, and results in smooth tunnel walls, less overbreak, and minimized ground support. The increased advance rates are partly due to the machine’s continuous progress, unlike drill and blast operations where crews must exit the tunnel during blasting for safety. In addition, simultaneous ground support installation further increases overall advance rates compared with drill and blast operations that must install ground support sequentially.

View the machine boring at Fresnillo mine: https://youtu.be/mgFopWaf220

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The Latest Updates: Records in Toronto, the News from Nepal, and More

Much like the face of a TBM, tunneling’s wheels of progress are always turning. Join us as we check in on projects across the globe—including a breakthrough in Japan, record setting progress in Canada, and a new project ramping up in Nepal.

Setting Citywide Records in Toronto

Exciting progress is being made deep below Lake Ontario. The 7.95 m (26.1 ft) Single Shield Robbins TBM boring the 3.5 km (2.2 mi) long Ashbridges Bay Outfall tunnel is seeing record setting progress for the City of Toronto, ON, Canada. The machine, operated by contractor Southland Holdings, has recently completed 30 rings in a single day, at 1.5 m (5 ft) per ring, equating to 45 m (148 ft). With this accomplishment, the machine and crew surpassed a previous best day of 21 rings at a project with similar specifications. The Ashbridges Bay Outfall is anticipated to be the largest wastewater outfall in Canada and will improve the city’s shoreline, beaches, and Lake Ontario’s water quality.

A Third Set of Records in Esme, Turkey

If two sets of records weren’t enough, the 13.77 m (45.18 ft) diameter Robbins Crossover (XRE) TBM boring Turkey’s Esme-Salihli Railway Tunnel has just set another precedent. In July and August 2021, the speedy machine outdid its previous records in the size class of 13 to 14 m (43 to 46 ft), boring 167.4 m (549.2 ft) in one week and 651.6 m (2,138 ft) in one month. The rates are the fastest ever recorded for any TBM over 13 m (43 ft) in diameter! They even surpass those set  over a decade ago at the Niagara Tunnel Project by a Robbins 14.4 m (47.5 ft) diameter Main Beam TBM. Check out the records here. 

Breakthrough at Tamagawa

In June, JV contractors Obayashi & Kumagai celebrated their final breakthrough at the Tamagawa HPP #2, Lot 2 project in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. During the bore, the crew faced unpredictable soft ground conditions and other challenges. To surmount these issues, an airborne electromagnetic survey was conducted for predicting soft ground conditions ahead of the tunnel surface and tunnel face stability was improved by using forepiling. The project, completed with the use of a Robbins 4.5 m (14.7 ft) Main Beam TBM, will supply 14,600 kw of renewable power to the region.

Double Shield to Bore Second Nepalese Tunnel

A record-setting 5.09 m (16.7 ft) Robbins Double Shield TBM is currently being rebuilt to tackle its second project for Nepal. The machine, which set multiple records and finished a year early at the Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project, has been chosen to bore the 13.3 km (8.2 mi) long Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Tunnel. Upon completion, the structure will divert part of the flow of the Sunkoshi River into the Bagmati river to irrigate farmland in the Tarai district. The project has been awarded to contractor China Overseas Engineering Co (COVEC), who will be bringing their expertise and experience from the Bheri Babai tunnel to this new endeavor.

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