Kobra Group Streamlines Additive Manufacturing with Russell AMPro® Sieve Station

Russell AMPro® Sieve Station reduces contamination and downtime in 3D printing

Kobra Group, a leader in high-grade steel molds for concrete block manufacturing since 1991, is based in Lengenfeld, Germany, and serves concrete block producers worldwide. Renowned for its innovative technology and quality, the company holds 86 patents across 140 countries.

Since 2020, Kobra Group has expanded into additive manufacturing, seeking cutting-edge solutions to enhance its production processes. Early research indicated that this technology could reduce process steps by over 70%. Initially, Kobra used a manual method to reclaim unused metal powder after each 3D print run, requiring the operators to vacuum excess powder and transfer it to a sieving station for accurate particle sizing before reuse.

However, this manual powder recovery led to contamination in the work environment, raising safety concerns for operators exposed to hazardous metal powders. Additionally, the sieving station often clogged, resulting in inconsistent powder feeding, repeated sieving, and screen blockages that required operators to disassemble the sieve, further increasing their exposure to the powder.

In 2023, Kobra Group upgraded to a fully automated powder recovery setup, featuring the Russell AMPro® Sieve Station, an AMS 400 printer from Reichenbacher Hamuel GmbH, and a Solukon depowdering station. This integrated, closed-loop system, streamlined powder handling, reducing stoppages and eliminating contamination risks.

The Russell AMPro® Sieve Station automates powder recovery, ensuring efficient and contamination-free sieving. With its simple one-button operation and programmable integration, it adapts smoothly to various 3D printers, meeting diverse powder handling needs.

About Russell Finex

Established in 1934, Russell Finex specializes in sieving and filtration solutions, serving customers in over 140 countries from its U.K. headquarters and global offices.

Are you looking to improve your powder handling and production efficiency? Reach out to Russell Finex today at +44 (0) 20 8818 2000 or email us at enquiriesrfl@russellfinex.com to discover how our tailored solutions can enhance your additive manufacturing processes.