Innovative excavation methods

Main objectives

• Application of laser technology to assist or replace conventional mechanical rock cutters
• Performance assessed through basic experiments with specific energies under various circumstances
• Development of concepts to apply laser power in tunnelling

Laser-assisted mechanical cutting

First results:

• Movement speed of roadheader cutting head comparatively slow
• Pre-carving the rock face using laser at moderate powers possible
• Laser beam pre-treats path of cutting tool to reduce required force to break rock

Main benefits

• Total power requirement for tunneling machine can be lowered
• reduced wear on tools
  
• higher efficiency in hard rock environments