Mining and Tunnel Tools
Mechanical Research & Design, Inc. supports both the general Mining and Tunnel Contractors Industries with a vast array of standard and customized product solutions. We have the industry experience to tailor our solutions specifically to the common problems and applications that arise in the construction, maintenance, and containment of shafts, tunnels, drifts, and bores common in the industry. We fabricate products to cover nearly any size, shape, pressure, or function out there and borrow from our strong working experience, commitment to research & development, continuous dedication to solutions optimization, and relentless drive to succeed on every customer project, simple or complex.
Our common Mining and Tunnel tooling solutions include most of our Isolation and Test Tools (Pipe Plugs, Bulkheads and Large Isolation Barriers, Annular Sealing Tools and Grout Packers, Joint Isolation and Test Tools), Work Assist Tools (Lifting and Pulling Products, Support Tools, Packing and Filling Solutions), and extends to our direct sales of our SEALFAST® Elastomers Inflatable and Mechanical Seals to our clients. We are also able to offer many specialized Underwater Construction, Environmental, and General Construction products to satisfy our clients in this demanding industry.
MRD Mining and Tunnel products can be found in applications including: containment and isolation barriers for working fluids or waste byproducts; safety barriers to protect the worksite from nearby sources of flooding or water ingress; as direct add-ons, in the case of our SEALFAST® Elastomers, providing leak-proof seals on mining equipment, boring machines, even pipe to pipe or surrounding pipe interfaces; in well or shaft integrity leak testing and isolation; and many more. We work with a wide variety of materials, from metals to polymers, in our pressure component designs and stock a wide range of elastomers to cover nearly every chemical compatibility and temperature concern, enabling us to offer industry leading turnarounds, even on custom products. Call us today to learn more!
Have Specific Requirements?
We specialize in custom solutions! Take a look at a few of our proven custom solutions or let us know your requirements. Our engineers and production staff are equipped to travel around the world at a moment’s notice to assist you with your needs!
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Contact us today to discuss our rates or to book an appointment with one of our engineers.
SEALFAST® Mechanical and Inflatable Pipe Plugs for fluid isolation, vapor block, general debris block, and pressure testing of pipelines, tunnels, ducts, drifts, bores, and shafts. Our plugs can be used for groundwater isolation in Micro-Tunnel Boring and Other Tunneling Applications. These products are also used as a containment barrier for channel openings and waste mitigation. Available in many shapes, sizes, and pressure ratings. We manufacture products in-house from nearly any material and vulcanize nearly any elastomers seal material on demand for flexible lead times and designs.
Common Plugging Applications:
• Pipeline, Drift, Shaft, Tunnel, and Drain Isolation Plugs
• Pipeline, Drift, Shaft, Test Plugs
Mechanical Research & Design, Inc. specializes in the design and manufacture of Bulkhead and Isolation Barriers for mining, tunneling, fluid and waste containment, and general worksite safety. We design and fabricate per application to safely work with existing infrastructure and conditions. State and Province specific PE stamped designs available upon request. Our Bulkheads and Isolation Barriers are often used as fluid stops and pressure boundaries for pipes and boring machines.
Large Barrier and Bulkhead Applications:
• Isolation Barriers and Bulkheads for Bores, Shafts, Tunnels, Drifts
• Micro-Tunnel Boring Bulkheads and Pressure Barriers
• High Flow Bypass Barriers for Fluid Control and Diversion
• Retention Pond, Storage, and Channel Isolation Barriers
We also sell our SEALFAST® Elastomers Inflatable and Mechanical Seals directly to our clients to utilize in their own designs. Our seals have been used in boring and mining equipment directly due to their rugged, heavy designs; in pipe to pipe and pipe to rock sealing interfaces; and on other barrier and isolation products including gates, bulkheads, doors, and hatches. We vulcanize and test our own elastomers at our production site and offer many different materials for application chemical, temperature, pressure, and functional compatibility.
Mining and Tunnel -Common Seal Applications:
• Mining Equipment Pressure Seals
• Shaft and Pipeline Interface Seals
• Barrier Pressure Seals
As with most of our Isolation and Test tools, our Joint Tester Products are used extensively in Mining and Tunneling pressure testing and isolation. These products employ two pressure barriers (SEALFAST® Inflatable or Mechanical Seals) to create an isolated region that can be pressure tested or one in which clients can collect or monitor water or vapor ingress into the region. These tools, on a larger scale, are used to create safe working zones or isolation for cross fittings and tees. These products can also be designed for irregular shaped cross sections as well as for two different cross sections.
Joint Tester Products for Shaft, Bore, and Tunnel Applications:
• Shaft Inspection Joint Testers
• Well Testers
• Pipeline Weld Testers
• Pipeline Joint Isolation and Pressure Testers
Mechanical Research & Design, Inc. has a line of Marine and Underwater Construction products that support many industries, including Mining and Tunnel. Many of our conventional Isolation and Test Tools can be used underwater, including: Isolation Barriers and Bulkheads, Pipe Plugs, and Connectors. We also customize many products for weight, buoyancy, and corrosion specifically for underwater and subsea applications.
Underwater Tools for Mining and Tunnel Applications:
• Diver Installed Bulkheads and Isolation Barriers
• Underwater Test Plugs
• Subsea Pipe Connectors
• ROV Clamps
Our Work Assist Products are also used extensively in Construction and Storage activities in Mining and Tunneling, especially Lifting Tools, product support and placement tools, Pipe Pullers, as well as Packing and Filling Tools. Many of our lifting and pulling tools are ideal for Remote Installation and Engagement activities common in shaft boring, drilling, and tunneling.
Common Work Assist Tools Provided for Mining and Tunnel Applications:
• Lifting Tools
• Pipe Pulling Tools
• Packing and Filling Solutions
WHY MECHANICAL RESEARCH & DESIGN, INC.?
Mechanical Research & Design, Inc. is a unique company that combines cross-industry experience in engineering design, analysis, production machining, multi-disciplinary expertise, cutting edge rubber vulcanization & molding, product testing, research & development, and field support to a wide array of pressure sealing, structural, and functional products. We are called the gem of our industry and have worked through complex problem solving with our clients, field technicians, and engineers the world over, to bring easy to use, reliable, and long-lasting products. Our products, from our standard solutions to our customized application-specific tools, are highly-engineered, Lab tested, and field proven. Call us today to see the difference for yourself. Speak directly with one of our application experienced product engineers, or schedule a visit to our state-of-the-art design, fabrication, and testing facility in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
SEE SOME OF OUR OTHER TOOLS THAT ARE FREQUENTLY USED IN TUNNELING AND MINING APPLICATIONS!
• Mechanical Research & Design, Inc. provides Annular Sealing Tools used in Grout Packing, Pressure Testing double containment pipe and wall penetrations, and temporary to permanent wall penetration Annular Isolation Barriers! Click here to find out more.
• We understand that Environmental Safety and Controls are very important in both the Mining and Shaft Tunneling Industries. See our lines of Environmental Tools here to find out more.
• For Control Panels, Utilities, Turnkey Test and Operational Systems, please see our Controls and Accessories page.