Our fischertechnik tunnel boring machine according to the model from the Herrenknecht machine for the fourth Elbe tunnel tube in Hamburg (also known as "Trude") from Albert Kohl is also almost fully functional: it can't really burrow through rock because it doesn't have a "sharp" bore shield. However, it does have everything that a proper tunnel boring machine really needs: the bore shield for the forward thrust, a robot (tubbing erector), which presses on the tubbing (parts of the tunnel wall), a transport device, which brings the tubbings to the robot, on the end of the machine there are rails and the crane system for the transport of the tunnel rock and the tubbings and much more. The model is controlled with an IR control set, intelligent interface, extension modules and a special control console. This controls the 24 pneumatic cylinders, with which the machine-just like the original-supports itself on the tubbings and shoves itself forward.

Many engineers and research teams-some of whom certainly played with fischertechnik earlier-are involved in the design of these complex machines. The heart of the boring machine is its bore shield, that is the front part. The design of the drill head is especially important here because its tools must do the real work: the fastest possible and careful removal of the rock in front of it.