WDS: Diversity in depositing solutions

(Photo © Tuulum I Dreamstime.com)

WINKLER und Dünnebier Süßwarenmaschinen GmbH (WDS) has a record of more than 100 years in engineering confectionery machines known for their quality and flexible modular design. Thanks to their Product Innovation Center based at the WDS headquarter in Rengsdorf/Germany WDS is today a solution partner, providing all services to transform a product idea into a successful product launch. Most projects start at the Product Innovation Center where the WDS team of food scientists tests new product concepts using the WDS lab equipment.

Globally, WDS is the only machinery manufacturer, who has been extremely successful in building molding plants for jellies and chocolates for decades. This versatility together with a deep knowledge concerning complex molding processes, has created a modern generation of molding plants for gums and jellies as well as chocolates which set new standards according to efficiency, hygiene, and product treatment: The demand has changed from large capacity lines for a dedicated product towards flexible lines which entertain multiple different products with a medium to large production capacity.

With the help of the large WDS machining-center, they have full control about the parts and assembly quality, especially when it comes to the heart-piece, the depositor.

WDS also stands for excellent after sales service providing LifeCycleCare support, upgrades and retrofits of existing lines with new technology.

Starchless plants

For a couple of years now starchless production technology has been used very successfully for the manufacturing of toffees, fondant and jellies.

In reference to the rapidly growing market for OTC gums and jellies with its high demands for hygienic production plants, WDS has developed a new direction regarding the molding processes.

Mogul plants

WDS is experienced in the production of jelly and gum (on pectin basis, gum arabic, gelatine, agar-agar, carrageen), as well as liquorice, fondant, cream, marshmallow foam and similar masses. A core expertise is the depositing of center-filled products with e.g. a fruit paste filling. 

WDS Mogul plants are highly efficient, long-lasting quality machines with classical or chainless tray transport.

WDS is renowned in the industry for its continuous innovation and enhancement of established confectionery machines. This year, the company unveiled the MogulPRO, a new machine concept. The plant features an exceptionally robust and reliable tray conveyor with a pusher system, optimized for maintenance and cleaning. A continuous door design and easy access to all key areas enable effortless spare part and program part replacement. Compared to other plant concepts, this plant is also shorter and narrower. In addition to the new Mogul plant, WDS is presenting a completely new feeder and stacker without exposed chains. For the first time, this provides a real alternative to the industry-standard chain circulation in the mogul sector, ensuring high cycle rates and stable, precise tray guidance.

WDS innovation: MogulPRO with a chainless pusher system and new performance dimensions

Chocolate

WDS serves small- to large-sized businesses with capacities from 200 kg/h to 7000 kg/h.

The ConfecECO is the start-up line for the production of plain, center-filled bars, pralines and masses with inclusions, and as mentioned above is also suitable for jellies.

The ConfecPRO is a chocolate production plant for confectionery manufacturers who want to target a medium to high output quantity. Its modular design together with the decentralized electrical control ensures an easy future growth-oriented expansion at small expenditures.

sweetOTC

Under the motto “activate your candy”, WDS highlights its label sweetOTC, demonstrating how customers successfully open up new growth markets with OTC confectionery. For the OTC confectionery market, WDS optimizes established plant technologies and develops them further with careful consideration of customer requirements and applicable regulations.

WDS supports its customers from the idea to the finished product, which means from product development to customized production processes, exact dosing to perfect, hygienic and GMP-compliant production with WDS plants.

The state-of-the-art Product Technology Lab of Winkler und Dünnebier Süßwarenmaschinen

Digitalization solutions tailored to customer needs

Easy spare parts ordering with the WDS webshop  The user-friendly WDS webshop enables seamless spare parts procurement. With detailed system documentation and a fully electronic spare parts catalogue, customers can place targeted and secure orders independently at any time. Thanks to a comprehensive inventory, response times are kept to a minimum. For any questions, the WDS service team is always available to assist – from troubleshooting to part installation.

Service and support with LifeCycleCare  WDS stands for exceptional after-sales service. The LifeCycleCare remote concept has now been running successfully for three years, with many satisfied customers. Find out how operators can get the most out of their plant: with LifeCycleCare, the plant remains continuously connected, allowing remote access to the HMI even while on the go. The Performance Inspector enables process analyses and resulting optimizations. In emergencies, 24/7 service experts are available around the clock for prompt support.

SmartMould  The SmartMould measuring mould records and monitors mechanical influences on the polycarbonate mould, enabling the measurement and analysis of both process data and the overall mechanical condition of a confectionery system. Process data analysis, anomaly detection and trend data – even from hard-to-access areas – provide valuable insights into system status and support early preventive measures.

SweetConnect: The partner network for the digitalization of the confectionery industry

The confectionery industry is facing multiple challenges that are difficult to overcome by individual companies alone. WDS is a founding member of the multi-vendor SweetConnect initiative, which presents ready-to-use digitization solutions successfully tested by the industry. This innovative digital platform continuously welcomes additional stakeholders, advancing the digitization of the confectionery industry.

SweetConnect is an open initiative for machine manufacturers and confectionery producers that offers all interested companies the opportunity to participate and work together to shape the future of the confectionery industry.