This type of boring machine is suitable for driving in stable rock and is used for the excavation of traffic tunnels (road and rail), supply tunnels (water, gas and electricity), pressure water utility tunnels for hydroelectric plants, tunnels for cable cars high in the mountains, tunnels for geological investigations and other special applications.
The main elements in the construction of the open tunnel boring machine are the cutter head with its associated drive housing, the support construction (the so-called gripper) and the advance mechanism.
