Ring quality is not determined at a single inspection point. It is the result of an entire process – from segment design and production to storage, handling, transportation and ring building on the TBM. With complementary automated systems covering different stages of this workflow, VMT supports project teams in identifying deviations and risks early, maintaining quality and making relevant data available over the entire process to ensure long-term traceability and transparency.
Quality starts long before ring erection
Segments must be produced within tight tolerances, arrive at the right time and be installed in the correct position to perform reliably under high loads throughout the advance. At the same time, project teams need to maintain production rates, avoid delays and keep costs under control.
A damaged segment, an incorrectly composed ring or an undetected deformation can quickly result in rework, downtime and additional expense. Effective ring quality management therefore needs to cover the complete process – because every stage influences the quality of the tunnel lining and ultimately the quality of the tunnel itself.
Nine systems, one connected approach
VMT offers various complementary systems for quality management across the segment lifecycle. Depending on project requirements, they can be combined to create a connected quality management workflow:
- PrecastIQ – production and logistics management for precast segments
- LIS – 3D measurement of moulds and segments
- Virtual Ring Building – virtual assembly and geometric verification of segment rings
- Segment.Check – AI-based automatic inspection of tunnel lining segments inside the TBM before installation
- TUnIS Ring Sequencing – predictive ring sequencing and order optimisation
- SLuM – fully automatic measurement of the ring position relative to the tailskin axis with millimetre accuracy
- Ring Roll Check – measurement of ring roll
- Ring Planarity Check – verification of ring planarity
- RCMS – automatic measurement of ring convergence
Together, these solutions help those in charge to identify deviations and risks earlier and take action before they lead to larger problems further along the process.
From quality data to project transparency
The data generated by the systems is transferred to Herrenknecht.Connected in real-time, where it is available for documentation, reporting and visualisation. This gives authorised project stakeholders access to relevant information and creates greater transparency across the process.
The result is reliable quality assurance backed by connected data – from precast production through to the installed tunnel lining.
But the ring is not complete yet: further solutions designed to improve ring building quality are already in development. Stay tuned.