Skuratovsky Experimental Plant (Tula, Russia)

E. A. Averin, Head of Projects, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, evgeniy.averin.90@mail.ru

The article describes the activities of the Skuratovsky Experimental Plant (SOEZ) as an enterprise that has been actively introducing innovations in mining and underground construction throughout its history. It provides a brief historical overview of the SOEZ. Founded in 1955 and reorganized as a private enterprise in the 1990s, SOEZ retained its scientific and production potential. The article also represents modern high-tech developments, their main technical characteristics, and application experience. Among modern achievements, focus is on the KTPM-5.6 tunnel boring machine – the first post-Soviet domestic shield tunneling complex with electro-hydraulic drives, automated navigation, and telemetry. Designed for deep metro construction in Saint Petersburg, it could be disassembled into small units for underground assembly. Its upgraded version, KTPM-5.63, was manufactured by the Obukhovsky Plant with SOEZ's assistance. The article describes mechanized shaft-sinking equipment, including ASP and SPKV-series shaft sinking machines. Operational data showed that mechanized sinking increases penetration rates by 1.25–2 times over drill-and-blast methods, reduces timelines by 20–25%, and cuts consumption of concrete for lining by up to 25%. It shows some scientific results obtained from the analysis of the SOEZ equipment's operation, and it notes the role of the faculty of Tula State University in their acquisition as well. As a conclusion the article indicates the direction of enterprise development on the example of the shaft sinking machine for hard rocks SKT.

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