The “Invisible Hand” of Precise Segment Erection: Becker Vacuum Pumps Help Chinese Shield TBMs Cross Mountains and Seas

A Long‑standing Partnership with China’s TBM Industry

As an active participant in the localization of Chinese tunnel engineering equipment, Becker vacuum pumps have served the domestic shield TBM industry steadily for more than 10 years. We are committed to supporting infrastructure development with high‑quality, reliable products.

 

A Market Overview: Chinese Shield TBMs Going Global

Chinese shield tunneling machines now hold more than 70% of the global market share, ranking first in production and sales for many consecutive years. The domestic content rate exceeds 95%. From relying on expensive imports to capturing two-thirds of the global market, the Chinese TBM industry has achieved a remarkable turnaround in just over two decades.

These achievements rely on thousands of critical components working in perfect harmony. One such component, often overlooked, is the vacuum pump used in the segment erector – the system that places concrete lining segments inside the tunnel.

 

Vacuum Gripping: The Core Technology of Segment Erection

What is a Segment Erector?

After a shield TBM advances, the tunnel needs to be lined with precast concrete segments to prevent collapse and seal the ground. The segment erector is a robotic manipulator inside the TBM’s tail shield. It picks up heavy concrete segments (often weighing several tons), moves them into position, and bolts them together to form a complete ring.

The erector’s gripping system typically uses vacuum suction pads. The vacuum pump creates a negative pressure that holds the segment firmly against the pads – similar to a heavy-duty suction cup. This allows the erector to lift, rotate, and precisely place the segment without mechanical clamping.

 

Key Requirements for Segment Erection

For reliable and efficient segment erection, the vacuum pump must meet four essential requirements:

1. Secure gripping and safe handling
   The vacuum must be stable and strong enough to prevent any slippage or falling, even under vibration and sudden movements.
2. Precise positioning and quick release
   The operator needs fine control to align the segment to millimeter tolerances, and when the segment is in place, the vacuum must be released rapidly to avoid delays.
3. Adaptation to harsh operating conditions
   Tunnel environments are dusty, often humid, and – most importantly – concrete segments are not completely dry when handled.
4. Low maintenance and long service life
   Downtime on a TBM project is extremely costly. The vacuum pump must be easy to service and reliable over many months of continuous operation.

 

 

 

For these reasons, leading TBM manufacturers have consistently chosen Becker’s oil‑lubricated U5 series for their segment erectors.

 

Learn more about the U5. series

 

 

About Becker Vacuum Pumps

Becker provides vacuum pumps, central systems, compressors, accessories, and customized vacuum solutions for numerous applications across different industries. With innovative solutions and decades of service experience, Becker helps customers improve production efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. With 140 years of vacuum industry know‑how, the company now operates 21 subsidiaries and over 40 offices worldwide.

 

Contact Becker ChinaFind global contacts

 

 

This image was generated with the aid of AI and shows a simplified illustration of a tunnel-boring machine.