Laser: Laser beam is widely used to guide the tunneling machine.

The laser provide the alignment and

grade for the machine to follow. The laser beam must have a clear pathway from the jacking pit to the machine. At the rear of the machine there is a target panel which receives the laser beam from the laser torch or theodolite mounted at the jacking pit. The target panel is monitored by a close circuit TV camera. The beam position in relation to the target to a monitor screen on the operators control panel so that he could make necessary steering adjustments to guide the machine along the right grade and alignment. Some machines have photosensitive cells on the target panel convert the laser position into digital data. Those data are then electronically transmitted to the operators contrl panel where digital data readout of the of the location can be made.