Shaft boring machine
Herrenknecht AG
The shaft drilling machine is sunk using a sinking unit - this constitutes the link between the top of the shaft and the machine / start pipe - and then braced with gripper arms, rather like a TBM, against the solid rock or against the start pipe that is already in place. The cutting process works in a similar fashion to that of a partial face excavation machine. The rotary grinder, which is fitted with special tools, is located on the telescoping road header boom and loosens the geology by making swinging movements at the shaft bottom.
The excavated material is removed either through a preexisting fore-bore hole or hydraulically through pipelines up to the separation plant on the surface. During the whole shaft sinking operation, the shaft drilling machine has steel ropes attaching it to the sinking unit which is located on the surface above. This means that the shaft drilling machine can be under constant surveillance as it is sunk precisely to its destination. A variety of different shaft lining options are available, depending on the ambient geology.
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