What is the function of 'cutter lacing' during cutterhead refurbishment?

Cutter lacing, during cutterhead refurbishment, primarily functions to rebuild and protect the cutter housings on the cutterhead. The cutter housings are the structures on the cutterhead that hold the individual disc cutters. Over time, these housings can experience significant wear and tear due to the abrasive nature of rock cutting. Cutter lacing involves welding specialized wear-resistant materials onto the worn surfaces of the cutter housings. This process restores the original dimensions and shape of the housings, ensuring that the cutters fit properly and are adequately supported. The materials used for lacing are typically hardfacing alloys, which are designed to resist abrasion, impact, and corrosion. By rebuilding the cutter housings, cutter lacing extends the lifespan of the cutterhead and improves its overall performance. It also helps to prevent premature cutter failure, as worn housings can cause cutters to wobble or break. Proper cutter support is crucial for efficient rock cutting and minimizing cutter wear. Cutter lacing is a cost-effective way to refurbish a cutterhead, as it is generally less expensive than replacing the entire cutterhead. The term 'cutterhead' refers to the rotating front part of the TBM that holds the disc cutters. 'Disc cutters' are the hardened steel wheels that roll across the rock face to create fractures. 'Hardfacing alloys' are specialized welding materials designed to provide a wear-resistant surface.