Until recently, longer or curved small-diameter drives equipped with gyro navigation systems required manual calibration of the gyro through measurements at frequent intervals. If tunnel entry is possible, it is a highly time-consuming process that requires an elaborate and costly safety protocol. The most significant challenge, however, is the small diameters in direct pipe projects where pipe access is impossible, but precise advancement crucial.

Thanks to TUnIS pipelight control measurements take a maximum of 30 minutes instead of several hours. The system automates traverse measurement, linking the fixed-point field in the launch shaft to the tunnelling machine. Compact sensors with cameras monitor LED light points and accurately transfer fixed-point coordinates to the machine. This allows precise determination of a reference point near the machine to calibrate the gyro navigation system and ensure accuracy during tunnelling. Unlike traditional methods using total stations, this new approach employs compact camera sensors suitable for small pipes and diameters under 1,200 mm, which facilitate accurate alignment in complex geometries – even in small-diameter tunnelling operations – without significant interruptions.

TUnIS.pipelight makes it possible to carry out high-quality automated control surveys in small and inaccessible microtunnelling and Direct Pipe drives. The use of camera technology for determining angles and distances is unique in this application and enables exceptionally compact sensor design which can be used in very confined spaces. Planners of modern infrastructure projects can really benefit from greater flexibility in terms of tunnel length and routing.

We look forward to ushering an exciting new age of microtunnelling with our customers thanks to the innovative TUnIS.pipelight.

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