In Australia for operations on a TBM (tunnel boring machine). Hydraulic system made by FPT – Fluid Power Technology with a computerized split flow hydraulic pump to control 14 hollow hydraulic jacks to hold the TBM in position and calculate the COG (center of gravity) thus allowing the machine to advance in a balanced way.

The control unit was used to keep the TBM in contact with the excavation face. In this specific case, the start of the machine took place through its introduction into a well and subsequently placed on the bottom; this leads to a lack of anchor points of the machine itself in the initial excavation phase. Therefore, for a type of starting excavation like this, the need arises to keep the machine in contact with the excavation face through an external auxiliary system.

FPT has supplied custom made computerized split flow hydraulic pump to control 14 hollow hydraulic jacks and to perform these operations.

The system manufactured consists of 14 hollow cylinders with 1500 kN capacity and 200 mm stroke and a high flow hydraulic pump with 4 outlets.

The hydraulic unit, controlled by PLC and PC, is able to show the operator the relative position of each group of cylinders, absolute position, pressure and force. Furthermore, the user always has the position of the centre of gravity under control.