Microtunnel boring machine
Appearance
Microtunnel Boring Machines (MTBM) are used for microtunneling. They are very similar to tunnel boring machines (TBM)but on a smaller scale. These machines generally vary from 0.61 to 1.5 meters (2 ft 0 in to 4 ft 11 in) but smaller and larger machines have existed. The main differences between MTBM and TBM operations are:
- MTBM is operated by remote control.
- MTBM usually has the tunnel liner pushed behind the machine instead of built as the machine advances.