Japanese construction company Daiho Corporation has opened "MOGLABO," a training facility featuring a permanent, full-scale mock-up of a shield machine at its Technical Research Institute in Ami Town, Ibaraki Prefecture. Designed to accelerate engineer development and research and development in the shield tunneling method, the facility utilizes an actual machine relocated from a completed project site in Tokyo. According to the company, this is the first permanent facility of its kind in Japan. Daiho intends to position the site as a hub for "philosophical succession," allowing trainees to study structures and equipment layouts firsthand while deepening their understanding of the significance and value of the underlying engineering techniques.

The facility replicates real-world tunnel conditions with a machine diameter of 4.48 meters and a total tunnel length of 20 meters. A key feature is the integration of a gradual curve in the segmented ring section to simulate curved alignment excavation, allowing novice engineers to gain practical proficiency in underground surveying techniques. Construction of the facility was completed in May, and it has already been integrated into training programs for new employees hired this year. Daiho plans to utilize the facility for subsequent annual employee training.

Because shield tunneling operations typically run continuously day and night, securing adequate training time on active construction sites is difficult. Furthermore, once excavation begins, viewing the internal mechanisms of the machine from the outside becomes nearly impossible. By dedicating sufficient time to training on excavation management and construction procedures at MOGLABO, Daiho aims to establish a systematic approach to human resource development that does not rely solely on individual intuition and experience.

In terms of technological development, the facility provides an environment where measuring instruments and innovative technologies can be verified under conditions closely matching actual construction, with the goal of fostering practical, high-utility technologies. (2026/06/02)