Turkish manufacturer reduces AM powder sieving time by over 94%
In additive manufacturing (AM), the powder particle size can make the biggest difference, making sieving before and after use critical for maintaining build quality.
Before each build, sieving AM metal powders removes contaminants, oversized particles, and agglomerates that can disrupt powder flow and compromise build quality. This allows printing technology to print layers more consistently.
After use, sieving is equally important. The printing cycle can introduce partially sintered particles, spatter (molten droplets), and degraded material into the powder bed. If not removed, these can negatively impact future builds by altering thermal behavior, flow characteristics, and overall part integrity.
For companies like Giafab, maintaining powder quality is key to delivering the high standards their customers expect. Based in Ankara, Turkey, Giafab offers a range of manufacturing, machining, and engineering services to customers in Turkey and surrounding countries.
Over the last three years, Giafab has invested in additive manufacturing (AM) and provides a range of AM technologies including selective laser sintering and laser power bed fusion to manufacture precision parts in polymers and metals. For metal 3D printing, Giafab uses the nickel-chromium alloy Inconel 718.
The challenge of AM metal powder sieving and recovery
Without an automated, closed-loop solution like our Russell AMPro® Sieve Station Connect, businesses must rely on manual recovery and sieving that are time-consuming, labor intensive, and difficult to scale.
Additionally, handling powders manually increases the risk of contamination, inconsistent particle size and inefficient removal of out-of-spec metal powder. This can directly impact build quality and may result in unnecessary disposal of reusable material, significantly increasing costs.
For Giafab, their original metal powder sieving method was time-consuming, with a 100‑kilogram batch taking more than four hours to process. This limited the productivity of their AM team.
As the company planned to scale production by investing in a new 3D printer, Giafab needed a compatible sieving solution that could also support increased output.
The solution, powder handling systems for additive manufacturing
Giafab’s new printer supplier recommended our Russell AMPro® Sieve Station Connect because of our reputation in AM powder recovery. Since the installation of our automated powder recovery system, Giafab has reduced their sieving time. Sieving a 100‑kilogram batch of Inconel 718 powder now takes just 15 minutes compared to four hours previously. By automating powder recovery, the system has enabled their AM team to significantly increase productivity and support higher production volumes.
What our customers say
The Russell Finex team has been very helpful, especially with logistics and installation. When we have a query, we contact the sales engineer directly and he always answers our questions. It’s been a good experience working with Russell Finex and it’s an extremely user-friendly machine. The interface is faster and more intuitive than other sieving systems, I would definitely recommend it.
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About Russell Finex
Founded in 1934, Russell Finex is a specialist global supplier of sieving and filtration equipment. With its head office in the U.K. and subsidiaries in Belgium, the U.S.A., India, Brazil, and China the company supplies to over 140 countries.
To speak to an experienced sales engineer to improve your productivity, contact Russell Finex today.
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Russell AMPro® Sieve Station Connect
Frequently asked questions:
What is powder handling in additive manufacturing?
Powder handling in additive manufacturing refers to the processes involved in collecting, sieving and transferring AM powders.
Why is sieving necessary for additive manufacturing powders?
Sieving helps maintain a controlled particle size distribution, removing agglomerates, oversized particles, and contaminants that could negatively affect print performance.
What types of powders require screening in additive manufacturing?
A wide range of materials benefit from screening, including metal powders (such as titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum alloys) and polymer powders (like nylon and polyamide).
Can additive manufacturing powders be reused after sieving?
Yes, many powders can be recycled after printing, provided they are properly sieved to remove contaminants and maintain the correct particle size range. This helps reduce material costs while ensuring consistent quality across multiple print cycles.
Is it possible to test sieving equipment with AM powders before purchase?
Yes, we offer testing services where you can evaluate performance using your own powders. Trials can be conducted either at dedicated facilities or within your production environment.