In the field of underground resource mining such as coal and metal mines, mining tunneling machines have become the core equipment of modern mine construction with their high efficiency, safety and intelligent characteristics. This type of equipment significantly improves the efficiency of tunnel excavation by integrating cutting, loading, transportation and other functions, while reducing manual risks and promoting the development of mine production towards automation and greenness.
I. Function and technical architecture
Mining tunneling machines integrate multiple core functions, and their technical architecture reflects the precision and innovation of modern industry.
1. Efficient rock breaking and cutting
The tunneling machine is equipped with high-power cutting motors and high-strength cutting teeth, which can adapt to rocks with a Pusch hardness of f4-25. For example, through the design of a large-opening hard rock cutter head, the whole section can be broken into a tunnel at one time, and the rock breaking capacity is 3-10 times higher than that of traditional methods. The cantilever tunneling machine flexibly breaks rocks through a rotating cutting head to improve excavation efficiency.
2. Intelligent control and automation
Modern tunneling machines generally use PLC control systems and Internet of Things technology to support remote control and real-time monitoring. For example, the construction process can be optimized, and the hydraulic control and remote control dual system design can be used to achieve human-machine separation and ensure operation safety. Intelligent technologies also include adaptive cutting and posture correction. For example, the tunnel boring machine uses a composite positioning system to achieve a cutting trajectory error of less than 50mm.
3. Safety and environmental protection design
The tunnel boring machine is equipped with multiple safety devices, such as gas monitoring, emergency braking system, and dust and noise reduction technology. For example, the "long pressure and short extraction" ventilation and dust removal technology reduces the dust concentration on the excavation surface by more than 95%, improving the working environment; the spray system and dust removal fan of XCMG TBM can effectively control the spread of dust.
II. Multiple application scenarios
Mining tunnel boring machines are widely used in various types of mines and tunnel projects, showing strong environmental adaptability.
1. Coal mine tunnel excavation
In coal mining, tunnel boring machines can quickly complete the excavation and support of coal tunnels and rock tunnels, achieving safe and efficient excavation, and improving efficiency by 4-7 times.
2. Metal mines and complex geological conditions
Metal mining often faces challenges such as high stress and broken surrounding rocks, and the flexibility and stability of the tunnel boring machine highlight its value. Jiangxi Copper Yinzhushan Mine used TBM to excavate 3,047 meters, with a maximum daily footage of 28 meters, which is 3-5 times more efficient than the traditional drilling and blasting method; Shandong Gold Sanshan Island Gold Mine used a cantilever tunnel boring machine to replace the blasting method, achieving a mechanization rate of more than 90% for mining and greatly reducing the risk of accidents.
3. Tunnels and special projects
TBMs also perform well in tunnel projects such as subways and water conservancy. For example, the Kekegai Mine in Yulin, Shaanxi, used open TBM construction to complete the 5,335-meter excavation task 10 months ahead of schedule, with an average monthly footage of 517.96 meters. Its small radius turning technology provides an example for similar projects.
III. Advantages and industry value of mining roadheaders
The continuous operation characteristics of roadheaders greatly shorten the construction period and improve efficiency several times compared with traditional methods; intelligent equipment can also reduce manual intervention. For example, Shandong Gold has reduced 70 underground workers through remote control systems and increased transportation efficiency by 25%.
Roadheaders free people from dangerous environments and can be remotely controlled to avoid long-term exposure of operators to high dust and strong vibration environments; during TBM construction, personnel work under shields, significantly reducing the risk of accidents such as roof collapse. According to industry data, after adopting roadheaders, the accident rate in mines has dropped by more than 60% compared with traditional methods.
With the iteration of technology, mining roadheaders are moving towards intelligence and unmanned operation. The 2024 coal mine safety production standards will add a bonus item for intelligent excavation working faces, encouraging enterprises to apply technologies such as AI and 5G. The innovation of mining roadheaders is not only an upgrade of equipment, but also a change in mining production methods. From traditional blasting to intelligent tunneling, from high-risk manual work to unmanned operations, this type of equipment is reshaping the industry landscape with technological breakthroughs, laying a solid foundation for the efficient, safe and green development of resource extraction.