FLEXSPEED: HIGH VOLUME DISHWASHER TECHNOLOGY THAT ADAPTS TO STAFF CAPACITY

Winterhalter’s smart feature keeps conveyor dishwashers working efficiently, and staff calm!

Large scale conveyor dishwasher systems are designed to wash thousands of pieces, quickly and efficiently.  However, their speed can cause stress if staff are over stretched.  Now Winterhalter has introduced Flexspeed technology for its MT flight and rack conveyor systems.  It adapts to how staff are operating, so that they don’t get stressed – and the machine keeps working as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. 

The issue may be at the front of the machine, for example if loading slows down for some reason, which can cause gaps between batches of dirty wash items.  Or it could be at the end of the wash cycle, if staff aren’t able to keep up with unloading.  In both cases, not only are the operators stressed but also the machine will not be operating efficiently, wasting energy and money.  Flexspeed overcomes these problems. 

In the loading zone, the Flexspeed front mode detects gaps between racks or, in the case of a flight type system, empty spots on the conveyor.  Flexspeed gradually reduces the conveyor belt speed until the gaps are gone so that the machine is fully utilised, with no loss of capacity.  Smaller gaps optimise performance, thus reducing costs, and give better rinse and drying results.   They also lead to less waiting time in the removal area. 

In the unloading zone, the Flexspeed end mode detects frequent triggering of the limit switch, gradually reducing transport speed until it detects continuous operation again.  It’s cost effective, as it ensures the machine is continuously running, with no reduction in capacity, and it means less wear and tear, as it avoids the issue of stop-start operation. 

“Flexspeed is a brilliant feature,” says Paul Crowley, marketing development manager at Winterhalter UK.  “It’s a great example of engineering coming up with a practical solution to meet a problem that every site is likely to have at some time.  It will be especially beneficial to any foodservice operation having to cope with staff shortages.” 

Flexspeed is standard on all Winterhalter’s new MT rack and flight dishwasher systems.  These high- volume conveyor models can handle up to 355 racks or 8,000 plates per hour.