Dishwashing systems | customX Referenz

Targets

Winterhalter faced the challenge of documenting complex dishwashers with numerous variants for international customers in a clear, error-free, project-specific, and timely manner. With the introduction of a new product line, the number of variants became too large to handle manually.

Implementation

With customX, a system was introduced that automatically generates customer-specific DWG drawings, BIM files, and connection diagrams based on the SAP configuration. Once the product was systematized, prototypes were created in a very short time, further developed, and the file generation process was eventually fully automated.

Conclusion

This significantly reduces the workload on employees, noticeably increases customer satisfaction, and ensures that processes run automatically and error-free. With customX, a scalable solution has been found that consistently delivers error-free documents and can be expanded with additional features or products at any time.

Well planned, well documented

Winterhalter, headquartered in Meckenbeuren on Lake Constance, specializes in commercial dishwashing systems and offers complete solutions for perfect dishwashing results, including dishwashers, dishwashing detergents, water treatment equipment, and dishwashing baskets. Commercial customers worldwide rely on the high quality of Winterhalter’s dishwashing products.

The BIM files, CAD data, and connection diagrams are now generated automatically and individually for each customer by customX.

Dishwashing specialists for commercial kitchens

Winterhalter’s commercial dishwashing solutions are in a completely different league compared to standard household appliances. Sure, the end result is the same: the dishes come out clean. But the scale of the operation can differ dramatically.

Winterhalter’s product range covers the entire spectrum of commercial dishwashing technology, from small under-counter dishwashers to conveyor and basket-type dishwashers that are several meters long. The conveyor and basket-type dishwashers of the MT series, for example, are used in commercial kitchens in hospitals, hotels, and cafeterias. There, they clean up to 8,000 plates or 355 baskets per hour, loaded with cutlery, plates, cups, glasses, or trays.

Thanks to the modular dishwashing technology, individual zones and components can be flexibly combined. This allows the machine to be precisely tailored to the individual requirements and equipment preferences of customers. Machines in the MT series can reach a length of up to twelve meters and can consist of two to ten modules of varying sizes and functions.

Enormous variation

The visual and design variety alone is enormous. The modules can be combined in various ways and are sometimes available in different sizes. We’re talking about options for pre-rinsing - either by machine or by hand - as well as different main rinse zones, post-rinse options, and drying methods either within the system or at the end via air drying. Consequently, every machine looks different.

However, the technical complexity involved is even greater. Around fifty technical features with numerous sub-features must be defined, and the country-specific requirements of over seventy nations must also be taken into account. All this technical data must then be clearly documented for the customers. For this, both CAD and BIM data as well as connection diagrams are absolutely essential.

When you consider that a single machine can require up to six water connections, the sheer volume and complexity of the data quickly become apparent.

Customers need clear data

In the past, Winterhalter included all data in a single standard document. As product variations increased and a new product line was introduced, it quickly became clear that this approach was no longer sustainable. The document became confusing for customers, who had to search through it to find the information relevant to their specific needs. As a result, numerous inquiries to Winterhalter’s technical department led to customer dissatisfaction and placed an additional burden on technical staff.

The goal was therefore to create configuration-specific data so that it is immediately clear which information is relevant for each project.

The configuration was initially handled via SAP’s ERP system. Here, the modules are assembled and requirements for the respective machine are entered. However, this still did not resolve the issue of variant-specific documentation.

To address this, Winterhalter partnered with customX, a company within the Man and Machine Group that specializes in configuration projects.

Admittedly, the timeline was very tight. The decision to go with customX was made in June, and just four months later - in October - the new product line was scheduled to be unveiled at the trade show and made available for purchase.

So, after the systematization phase - during which the product’s design was analyzed in detail and presented in a structured manner - the next step was to enter the resulting data into the system and create the first prototypes. A close collaboration with the engineers at customX quickly developed. In fact, they managed to provide the first customer-specific data generated by customX just in time for the trade show.

“customX really went above and beyond, and worked tirelessly to ensure we could deliver to our customers. You won’t find support like that anywhere else,” says Monika Wolf, Head of the Sales Designs and Projects, with satisfaction.

customX runs in the background

customX operates without its own user interface. Once configuration is completed in SAP, the ERP system sends a file to customX, where the entered data is automatically parsed, supplemented with additional calculations, and organized into logical relationships.

At the end of the process, Revit files, clear, dimensioned connection diagrams in PDF format, and DWG drawings containing all key information about the customer-specific dishwashing system are automatically generated. These files are made available directly to the customer without a single person having to review them. The structure is always uniform, and the results are consistent and absolutely error-free.

BIM data is crucial

For customers, the Revit data is of particular importance. It contains far more than just the geometry of the machines; it also includes technical specifications, material properties, and a wealth of other relevant information.

These Revit files can be integrated directly into the overall project and reused by the planners and architects. This ensures that building design integrates seamlessly with the technical systems and suppliers.

For the commercial kitchen sector, to which Winterhalter supplies its dishwashing systems, the IFSE standard now provides clear guidelines for BIM data. It precisely defines which parameters must be included, thereby ensuring a high degree of planning reliability. Naturally, the files generated by customX also meet these requirements.

System maintenance

Of course, a system like this requires regular maintenance. Sometimes minor details, such as text in the generated files, need to be updated; other times, more significant changes are required - for example, due to product developments.

Currently, major adjustments are still made in close collaboration with customX staff. However, the relevant training has already been completed, so these tasks will also be handled by the three rulebook developers at Winterhalter themselves in the near future. Minor changes are already being implemented independently and therefore with complete flexibility.

Outlook

In the future, access to the system will not be limited to Winterhalter employees. Partners will also be able to work with it directly. An important step in this direction is the integration with the marketing tool, which allows an initial rough configuration based on images and then transfers this data to SAP and from there to customX.

In addition, the generation of IFC and 3D data is planned to further reduce the workload on employees and consistently prevent errors.

“It’s nice that we started with the most complex product - now we know it works,” emphasizes Wolf. But the other series are set to follow soon, so that in the future all drawings, connection diagrams, and Revit files will be generated automatically.

„Es ist nett, dass wir mit dem komplexesten Produkt angefangen haben – jetzt wissen wir, dass es funktioniert“, betont Wolf. Aber schon bald sollen die anderen Serien folgen, sodass zukünftig sämtliche Zeichnungen, Anschlusspläne und Revit-Dateien automatisch erzeugt werden.

Winterhalter Deutschland GmbH

Targets

Implementation

Conclusion

Well planned, well documented

Dishwashing specialists for commercial kitchens

Enormous variation

Customers need clear data

Quick Implementation

customX runs in the background

BIM data is crucial

6,000 documents

System maintenance

Outlook

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