The LCLS which is 80% completed, and is located at the Stanford Linear Accelerator, will the the worlds first ‘hard X-ray LASER’. After the link are some pictures of the roadheaders used to excavate the tunnel, in action.
terrifying mining gear
Continuous mining machines and Roadheaders are giant automated modern day mining machines that slice through rock at high speed and look like something from hell. They are often used as design inspiration in movies and video games. Here are some of our favorite examples of these magnificent objects. Vote for your faves.
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Two 3 pronged fan-like blades with giant studded teeth tear through rock as they spin round. A central roller on top follows through like a ferocious car wash.
At first glance, this looks like a giant heap of scrap metal. However a second look reveals a low slung gnarled monster, like a giant steel Potato Bug. This machine dates from the 50s.
At 120 tons, the Joy 12HM36 is the worlds largest underground continuous miner. A design classic, it was first produced in 1948 and although it has continuously evolved since, the principal form remains.
Cellula Robotics is a company that creates rock cutting robots, such as the device seen here at the end of the boom on this undersea rock cutter.
This is a similar machine to the MV 220 also shown in this chart. The difference is that this one has been used and looks all the more battle scarred and impressive.
A powerful roadheader in action, specifically designed for tunnelling in medium to hard rock.
An image from the De Icing Business Ltd. of the type of continuous mining machine that is used to dig out the salt that is used on roads during the winter.
This machine differs from most in that it has no cab and the cutter head itself has a spiral and waste removal system that is not unlike a vacuum cleaner, in principal.
Two giant booms extend from the tractor cab of this mining machine like a Praying Mantis. The look and feel of this machine is similar to some of the loading equipment used in Aliens.
The two instruments on the end of the booms on this mining machine are a studded metal ball roadheader and a long narrow drill, which combine to look like a mechanical gladiator with trident and mace.
One of the largest roadheaders available, able to cut a hole more than 25 feet high.
There is speculation that the moon harbors a fuel worth more than its weight in gold, or even diamonds, Helium 3. As such, there are actually plans on how to mine it.
