China began developing tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in the early 1960s and embarked on extensive exploratory experiments to refine cutter materials. However, at that time, there were no specialized manufacturers of TBMs, and research institutions lacked sufficient funding to fully support these experimental efforts. As a result, the development of cutting tools fell short of expectations, though some progress was made in exploring scraper designs for TBM operations in weak geological formations. By the mid-1990s, the Ministry of Railways initiated feasibility studies for adopting the TBM approach in the Qinling Tunnel project of the Xi’kang Railway. Given that disc cutters are the primary rock-breaking components of TBMs—and given their high consumption rates, which significantly increased both construction costs and delayed project timelines—there was an urgent need to address this issue. Moreover, imported cutter segments were not only expensive but also faced lengthy delivery times. In response, the Ministry of Railways established a dedicated task force focused on localizing the production of disc cutters for full-face TBMs. In the late 1990s, the task force brought together key players, including the Tunnel Bureau, Luoyang Jiujiu Company, and Changsha Railway Institute, to form a joint research team. This team was tasked with developing domestically produced disc cutters specifically tailored for TBMs, while simultaneously working to localize the cutting tools used on the WIRTH TBM currently employed in the Qinling Tunnel project. In 1997, the collaborative research group conducted a comprehensive study of RIOBBINS cutterheads used in the Wanjiashai Yellow River Diversion Project in Shanxi Province, gathering critical data essential for advancing domestic cutter technology. Through rigorous scientific research and field trials, Luoyang Jiujiu Company successfully developed disc cutters that met all predefined technical objectives. These newly manufactured cutter segments—including peripheral, normal, and center cutters—were subsequently deployed on WIRTH TBMs operated by the Tunnel Bureau and China Railway 18th Bureau during the construction of the Qinling Tunnel, as well as the Taohuapu and Mogouling tunnels. The successful localization of disc cutters for TBMs ultimately earned recognition when the project passed the evaluation and approval process overseen by the Ministry of Railways. Building on this achievement, in 2004, Luoyang Jiujiu Company, in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways’ Tunnel Engineering Bureau, submitted a proposal to the National High-Tech Research and Development Program (863 Program)—specifically focusing on "Research into the Design and Key Technologies of Cutter Tools and Cutterheads for Shield Tunneling Machines." The project was promptly approved, marking a significant milestone in China’s ongoing efforts to advance domestic expertise in TBM technology.

　　After nearly a decade of research and development in the tunnel boring machine (TBM) cutter segment, Luoyang Jiujiu Company has so far achieved full domestic production of all TBM cutter components—though bearings have not yet entered mass production and are currently being introduced to the market. The company’s manufactured TBMs cutters have already been successfully deployed on TBMs from renowned brands such as Herrenknecht, Mitsubishi, and Wirtgen. Field tests conducted by multiple domestic users have demonstrated that these domestically produced cutters deliver performance levels that closely match or even meet the specifications of their original imported counterparts—and are now being adopted by nearly 20 construction companies across China.