Poing near Munich, 17th November - Learning from practical experience and continuously optimizing products with customers is the goal of TIP TOP Vulkanisation Borna GmbH, a member of the REMA TIP TOP Group. Over the past two years, the REMACLEAN GBM conveyor belt cleaning system has undergone continuous development at the Cuajone copper mine in southern Peru in close cooperation between the plant operator and REMA TIP TOP. The measures implemented in 2024 and 2025 aimed at aligning the maintenance intervals of the cleaning brushes with those of the conveyor system and significantly improving carryback reduction, spillage reduction and dust control.
The way to optimize maintenance intervals was to install cleaning brushes. At the beginning of 2024, the REMACLEAN GBM, which had been in use since the start, had standard 300 mm diameter round brushes. As an upgrade, the newly larger diameter brushes were installed to extend the lifespan of the brushes and bristles. This increased cleaning efficiency, reduced manual labor for cleanup, and extended the service life by up to three times. Now, the replacement of the brush bodies can be integrated into the maintenance interval for the entire system.
To improve dust control and overall cleaning performance, the plant operator developed an innovative idea to optimize the REMACLEAN GBM installation. The result is a special housing with a funnel system around the drive belt drum. The new, sealed housing transports fine particles downwards with the material cleaned from the belt and collects them for removal. The first few months after commissioning have been a complete success. At a high belt speed of 6.2 m/s, the system demonstrates excellent cleaning performance. Integrating the system into the existing infrastructure has also significantly increased efficiency.
This example impressively demonstrates how REMA TIP TOP's collaboration with their customers repeatedly results in innovative developments that go into series production and ultimately become the standard for other customers.
Background: REMACLEAN brush systems are typically installed on the lower belt of the conveyor line. To improve cleaning performance and prevent belt vibrations, an additional counterpressure roller is often used above the lower belt. At the Cuajone copper mine, the REMACLEAN GBM's tensioning device has been modified so that the cleaning brushes can face “horizontally” in a new way of using it rather than well-known vertically. Since the brushes now face the belt on the drive drum, an additional pressure roller is unnecessary.
Even before installing the REMACLEAN conveyor belt cleaning system at the Cuajone copper mine, REMA TIP TOP developed the REMACLEAN TMB cleaning system to address the specific conditions in South America. The German designation "TMB" stands for "drum motor brush" and describes the system's design, as the brush elements are mounted directly on the motor. Further development for the South American market was necessary because the internal drum motor tended to overheat and switch to emergency mode under special conditions involving high ambient and belt temperatures. To solve this problem quickly and easily without requiring major conversion work from mining companies, REMA TIP TOP developed the REMACLEAN GBM system, which is driven by an external gear motor. The Cuajone plant was equipped with this system in 2023.
REMA TIP TOP has been working successfully with its partner company, TECNOMINA S.A.C., in Peru, South America, for many years to support end customers in the field of conveyor belt cleaning with the proven, efficient REMACLEAN portfolio. At the Nauen branch, products developed specifically for the South American market are continuously optimized under extreme conditions.
"Close cooperation with our partners and customers around the world is very important to us. This collaboration is particularly significant for the continuous development and refinement of our products, and it motivates the team in Nauen and me to come up with new, innovative ideas and optimize our portfolio continuously,” says Maria Haß, Product and Portfolio Manag-er at TIP TOP Vulkanisation Borna GmbH.
