Robbins EPB launch at Emisor Oriente Mexico City's torrential rains and their ensuing floods have fast-tracked commissioning of one Robbins EPB at the country's most critical infrastructure project. The 8.93 m- diameter machine was launched on July 13 at Lot 1, a change from its originally designated tunnel at Lot 5. The Robbins TBM at Lot 1 has started excavation using umbilical cables connected to the surface and a sludge pump for muck removal. Once it has bored ahead 150 m, a Robbins continuous conveyor system and vertical belt will be installed for the remainder of the drive in mainly lake clays and sand. Once the machine reaches the end of its 5 km drive to shaft 3A at Lot 1, it will be removed and readied for its original 8.6 km-long bore at Lot 5. Two more Robbins EPBs are scheduled for launch later in 2011 on 9.2 km and 10.2 km bores at Lots 3 and 4, respectively. For more click here, here, and here. Visit www.robbinstbm.com. 30/11.