Russell Finex
Russell Finex AMPro Sieve Station
Russell Finex, a manufacturer of sieving and filtration equipment, has revealed more details about its AMPro Sieve Station which was launched at last year’s formnext powered by TCT.
The powder sieving machine has been designed specifically for users of additive manufacturing technologies, seeking to address product wastage, operator safety, powder conditioning and traceability. Russell Finex believes it is introducing an industry first with its award-winning AMPro Sieve Station – a system that guarantees the powder handling process is fully controllable, repeatable and with minimal operator involvement.
Having worked within the additive manufacturing space since its outset, Russell Finex is well-placed to bring a product like this to market. It leant on the relationships it has built in the industry over the last decades to address what it identifies as the key requirements. The company utilised that widespread know-how to ensure its AMPro Sieve Station meets current needs, and projected future ones as the market continues in its evolution.
All functions of the AMPro Sieve Station are incorporated into a single button operation. The touch-screen monitor is fully programmable for multiple settings, enabling the automatic conditioning of different powders and particle sizes. Once programmed, the operator just has to press the button to ignite the process, and can then turn their attention to other tasks, like finishing components or preparing the printer for the next build.
The AMPro Sieve Station has been designed to fit seamlessly into any additive production process. It is compatible with powder vessel transfer and can also be used as part of a closed-loop powder recovery system. Russell Finex says the sieve unit itself is the most advanced element. It is said to provide accurate and high-capacity sieving of powders, which contribute to faster process times. Easy-to-operate, the company has also moved to make sure all contact parts are crevice-free and finished to the highest standard to maximise efficiency. Changeover times of 30 minutes can be achieved, and cross-contamination risks are reduced, while the unit is also ATEX and ETL compliant and can be inert gas purged.
Russell Finex was established in 1934, and has remained committed to providing manufacturers with sieving and filtration equipment, even as newer methods became more common. Last week, the company revealed its equipment’s role in New Balance’s 3D printed midsole venture, and this week it has made public the finer details of its AMPro Sieve Station. A company press release sums up: “Ultimately, [the AMPro Sieve Station] is designed to support manufacturers through guaranteeing the quality of powders on any scale, at any stage of the production process.”
