HISTORY OF THE MOLE IN THE WORLD
The history of the development of pneumatic ground penetrators known as "moles" dates back to World War I, when the idea arose to create a machine that would make it possible to dig under enemy fortifications from a safe distance and place an explosive charge inside.
In the 1950s, Wiktor Zienkiewicz, working in the Polish Ship Salvage Service, proposed using this type of machine to pull ropes under the bottom of a sunken ship and lift it from the bottom.
The event, although not successful, resonated so much that the construction of the mole and its improvement was taken up by Kazimierz Zygmunt and Tadeusz Gerlach of the Gdansk University of Technology. The design of the pneumatic soil piercer intended for pulling cables into the ground and driving steel pipes proved to be very successful and was transferred to mass production. The first mass-produced "moles," 4,000 in number, were made at the Gniezno Metal Works of the Territorial Industry and the Metal Works in Skarżysko. Most of the machines were exported mainly to the USA, Russia and Japan, where new design solutions for the mole began to be developed from the '60s and '70s. Particularly strong "competition" from Soviet solutions led, in the mid '70s, to the cessation of production in Poland.
The development of the "mole" in Poland only resumed in 1996 in Gdansk. It was undertaken by Terma Technologie, now TERMA, a company known very well in those days for the production of bathroom heaters and radiators. In cooperation with the "old" team from the Gdansk University of Technology, a prototype "mole" with a diameter of 130 mm was created after a year. Six more prototypes were made, which underwent tests on a dynamometer (indexing and strain gauge measurements) and field tests in conditions as intended. Several years of research and development made it possible to start production and sales of pneumatic-impact machines MAX Impact Power from the year 2000. Their performance characteristics made them worthy of standing up to machines produced by foreign manufacturers. MAX-type machines received numerous industry awards, setting completely new quality and functional standards in the market. "Moles" gained a new head mounting solution, higher-weight beaters, innovative use of reverse gear, which make them among the strongest and most innovative "moles" on the market.
HISTORY OF THE MOLE IN TERMA
Since 1990, TERMA (before known as TERMA TECHNOLOGIE), in addition to manufacturing radiators, has also been engaged in contract piercing, using machines offered from other manufacturers of pneumatic piercing machines. Hence the idea of producing its own moles and improving their design and functionality was born. Extensive experience in piercing installations meant that piercing machines of our own production quickly gained recognition in the market.
2000 - Mass production and sales of the MAX K130S. To date, it is still the most popular mole model in TERMA's product line.
2002 - introduction of MAX K65
2003 - introduction of MAX K75S
2008 - introduction of MAX K180S
2011 - introduction of MAX K95S
2013 - introduction of MAX K160S
2016 - introduction of MAX K55
2017 - introduction of MAX K75K
Information on technological capabilities and machinery can be found HERE.
Information on individual products can be found HERE.
GALLERY
The history of the mole at the Gdansk Polytechnic University.
The materials are from the resources of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Gdansk Polytechnic University and published with the permission of the department's staff.
The photos show a small section of the trials of the first mole designs developed at Gdansk Polytechnic University. On the basis of these trials, and others conducted in laboratory conditions, a team of employees of the Department of Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering at Gdansk Polytechnic University developed a whole series of specific statements and conclusions, on the construction of effective and durable piercing machines. On the basis of these materials, TERMA undertook its own production of piercing machines.
THE MOLES NOW
The current offer of moles and accessories, is a response to inquiries and suggestions from customers-users. The constantly changing expectations of users make our offer constantly developed with new models of machines and accessories.
