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The assembly of the cutterhead of the tunnel boring machine “Hebe Camargo” began at the site of the future Penha station, marking a decisive advance in the expansion of São Paulo Metro’s Line 2-Green and preparing seven-kilometer tunnels to Guarulhos, with state-of-the-art equipment and a specialized team ensuring safety and efficiency throughout the excavation process
São Paulo Metro started the assembly of the cutterhead of the tunnel boring machine “Hebe Camargo” on Tuesday (12), at the site of the future Penha station. The piece is essential for the excavation of Lot 2 of the Line 2-Green expansion, ensuring the safe and efficient progress of the tunnel.
Structure and function of the cutterhead
With a diameter of 11.67 meters and a weight of 286 tons, the cutterhead is the heaviest part of the tunnel boring machine.
Positioned at the front of the machine, it cuts and disaggregates the soil using discs, scrapers, and foam and water injection systems, essential for excavation.
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The preparation involved pre-positioning, topographic alignment, and quality tests. More than 20 specialized professionals are working on welding the five parts that make up the cutterhead, a necessary step before installing the cutting tools and repainting the front of the structure.
Transport and coupling at the site
After assembly, the cutterhead will be transported to the trench of the future Penha station, where it will be coupled to the rest of the tunnel boring machine. This step allows the continuation of the equipment assembly and prepares the “Tatuzão” to start excavations between Penha and the VSE Castelo Branco, in Guarulhos.
The route to be excavated will have about seven kilometers of tunnel, with a planned advance of up to 15 meters per day. The expansion of Line 2-Green aims to increase rail transport capacity and serve thousands of passengers daily, connecting the East Zone to the border with the state’s second-largest city.
“Tatuzão” Hebe Camargo: the largest in Brazil
With 133 meters in length, 11.67 meters in diameter, and approximately 2,600 tons, the “Hebe Camargo” is the largest tunnel boring machine ever used in Brazilian metro works. Equipped with Dual Mode technology, it operates safely in different types of soil.
The machine’s name was chosen by popular vote in honor of the presenter Hebe Camargo, an icon of Brazilian television and a symbol of female pioneering.
The excavations are expected to begin in the second semester, consolidating the expansion of Line 2-Green and strengthening the transportation infrastructure in São Paulo’s capital.
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