Case Study: Heavy Duty Tungsten Carbide

A client in Western Australia contacted REMA TIP TOP to provide a solution for the issues they were having with Tungsten Carbide belt cleaner blades. The client needed a Heavy Duty 15mm Tungsten blade that could last a minimum 20 week shutdown cycle. This would eliminate downtime, expose the workforce to less risk and increase plant availability. Currently the client was trialing 20mm tungsten blades with mixed results, failures and was concerned they were not getting value for money.

ISSUE ON SITE:

The client was having continuous issues with 15mm Heavy Duty Tungsten belt cleaner blade life. After trailing various 20mm Heavy Duty tungsten options to get extended life out of the blades, the client still had no reliable option and specified 15mm tungsten as being their preferred option. The client had a blade life target of 20 weeks to match their shutdown schedule to eliminate the need for downtime during operation. Downtime was adding significant risk to the workforce and cost to the mine by stopping critical belts for belt cleaner maintenance.

Belt cleaner profile using REMACLEAN 15mm HD blades after 20 weeks service

 

THE SOLUTION :

After visiting the clients operation and meeting with teams in the field, it was recommended due to past wear results, harshness of the environment, belt speed and the conveyor run time expectation that the REMACLEAN HD 15mm Tungsten Blades be installed. This Tungsten has had success in Germany for similar applications and is used by REMA TIP TOP globally. After 20 weeks non stop service life with regular inspection and adjustment, the blades were showing 7mm wear remaining at the lowest point something no other 15mm tungsten on site had previously achieved. It was obvious blade life had significantly increased leaving the client satisfied that the REMACLEAN blade was the solution moving forward