25 Oct 2010
ERJ staff report (DS)
Weinheim, Germany -- Herrenknecht AG's tunnel boring machines, which are being used in the Gotthard Base Tunnel project, are equipped with large seals from Merkel Freudenberg Fluidtechnic, a subsidiary of Freudenberg Dichtungs- und Schwingungstechnik.
the main breakthrough took place in the eastern tube of the 57-kilometer-long railway tunnel on schedule, on October 15, 2010.
Once completed, the 57-kilometer-long Gotthard Base Tunnel will be the longest tunnel in the world. Construction officially started eleven years ago, on November 4, 1999. The tunnel boring machines began tunneling activities in 2003.
The main bearing is a multiple-row roller bearing, which measures up to 6 meters in diameter, weighs up to 20 t, and holds the rotating cutter. These main bearings are protected against the penetration of excavated material, stone, sand, and water by special shaft seals. At the same time, the seals prevent transmission oil leakage. Merkel Freudenberg Fluidtechnic has developed seals specially for this application.
This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Press release from Freudenberg
Subscribe for unlimited access. A subscription to European Rubber Journal includes:
Already a subscriber? Log in here
