Huge tunnel drilling machines utilizing Freudenberg seals tunnel under the Yangtze
4/9/2009 4:04:00 PM
Weinheim, xx March 2009. Two new tunnels will serve to alleviate Shanghai's traffic in time for the 2010 World Expo. The two tunnel shafts of the 'Shanghai Yangtze Under River Tunnel' will connect Shanghai's Pudong district with Changxing Island, providing a fast connection for the more then 600,000 inhabitants of the island.
Measuring seven and a half kilometers each in length, the tunnels were drilled using the world's largest tunneling machines with diameters of 15.43 m, produced by German company Herrenknecht AG, running at a depth of up to 65m. As the technological frontrunner and market leader for tunneling machinery, Herrenknecht AG relies on the sealing competence of Merkel Freudenberg Fluidtechnik for their machines.
Months of close cooperation allowed the Freudenberg company to develop tailored solutions for this project. The engines in the tunnel drilling machines perform the most taxing of jobs, driving the machine's rotating cutter head and bracing it against the enormous feed energy and torque. Shaft seals measuring eight meters across and weighing in at 20kg each manufactured by Merkel Freudenberg Fluidtechnic protect the main bearings against dirt and water entering from the outside, at the same time preventing leakage of transmission oil. Merkel Freudenberg Fluidtechnic is one of the few providers worldwide of seals of this type. For projects like this, high quality levels of seals are decisive - if these seals are damaged, the entire machine would need to be stopped, potentially causing tens of million of RMB's worth of damages.
''Through our high-quality sealing systems, we help our customers avoid high costs. When it comes to projects of this sort, customers need to be able to rely fully on the quality of top-class seals'', says Joerg Sost, member of the Management Board at Freudenberg.
Josef Gruseck, Head of Logistics and Sourcing at Herrenknecht, has relied on the quality and reliability offered by Merkel Freudenberg Fluidtechnik for 20 years now. According to Grusek, ''we make use of both companies' strengths and cooperate closely - this has allowed us to conquer numerous tunneling projects over the past years.''
In May and September 2008, the two Herrenknecht machines completed their work successfully and before schedule. Beginning from 2010, both tunnels will offer space for two levels: A three-lane expressway will occupy the top level of each tunnel, with the bottom level accommodating service and safety facilities - to be replaced by a metro line in the future, further maximizing the positive effect the tunnel will have on Shanghai's traffic efficiency.
Freudenberg in China
Freudenberg has held business ties with customers and partners in China for over 100 years. The Group has a workforce of some 3,800 employees at 35 locations. Freudenberg generated global sales in excess of RMB 3.5 billion in 2007. In recent years, Freudenberg grew in China (including the joint ventures) annually between 15 and 40 percent. By the end of 2008, together with its partners in the region, the Group will have invested around RMB 1.65 billion in production plants and distribution.
About Freudenberg
Freudenberg is a Germany based family company offering its customers technically challenging product solutions and services. With a share of approx. 40 percent, the automotive industry is the largest customer grouping, followed by the general industry sector. Freudenberg has acquired a reputation as a Technology Specialist for seals and vibration control technology, holds a leading position in the field of automotive interior filters, and also supplies backings for automotive carpeting, engine compartment insulation and auto headliners. Lubricants and release agents are used in the automotive industry and many other applications. A further important sector for Freudenberg is the textile and clothing industry, where Freudenberg Nonwovens keep garments in good shape, are fitted in power station filters etc. Some Freudenberg products are sold direct to final users. The best-known are household products, sold worldwide under the Vileda® brand name. With approx. 170 production and sales locations in 53 countries and its business partnership, the company is present in all of the world's major markets. Consolidated annual sales of the Freudenberg Group exceed more than RMB 53 billion and the company employs more than 34.500 people worldwide.
