Manufacture of a segment erector for a TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) rotating head for tunnel excavation.
The segment erector built by Galbiati is equipped with a mechanical arm with suction cup, so-called vacuum pick up system, positioned in the rear are of the mantle (tail) with the function of moving and put in place the definitive coating segments of the tunnel.
The erector picks up the piece form the sled with a vacuum pick up system with three suction cups (one suction cup is sufficient to support the weight of a segment, to avoid the loss of the load in case of average) and places it in its seat. On proceeds in succession until the last segment (the key segment), which puts in compression the ring. The segments of a ring are bolted together in a radial direction and are connected to the previous ring by means of connectors.
Below the link during the segment erector testing phase at Galbiati Group workshop.