Volkmann completes 48,437 sq ft expansion at Soest HQ for powder handling in AM
Post-Processing
Originally reported by 3Druck
Volkmann has completed a 48,437-square-foot expansion at its global headquarters in Soest, Westphalia, adding approximately 4,500 square meters of manufacturing and testing space. The facility now consolidates design, assembly, quality control, and shipping under one roof, with dedicated capacity for pneumatic vacuum conveyors, big-bag discharge stations, and vibratory feeders. A new testing area allows customers to run metal powders through operational conveyor systems and dosing equipment under realistic conditions, complementing an existing lab at Volkmann's US headquarters in Bristol, Pennsylvania. The company also launched a Quick-Ship program for its VS series pneumatic vacuum conveyors, targeting delivery within two weeks for select systems.
This expansion addresses a quietly critical bottleneck in scaled metal AM: powder logistics. As LPBF and binder jetting systems move from lab-scale to production-floor operation, the reliability of powder handling directly affects component quality, workplace safety, and system uptime. Volkmann sits in the upstream equipment layer of the AM value chain, supplying the infrastructure that makes repeatable powder flow possible - dust-free, closed-loop, and contamination-minimized. The move reflects a broader industry shift from machine-centric narratives to process-integration realities, where powder management is no longer an afterthought but a prerequisite for production credibility. For AM users in North America, the expanded capacity and Quick-Ship program aim to shorten lead times that have historically constrained adoption in serial production contexts.
For AM operators scaling metal production, this is a practical signal that powder handling equipment is becoming a standard line item in facility planning, not a custom add-on. Volkmann's ability to deliver standardized conveyors within two weeks and offer on-site material testing reduces one of the hidden friction points in process qualification. The real test will be whether the company can maintain delivery reliability as demand from defense and consumer electronics customers accelerates through 2026 and 2027.
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