Our equipment provides and services best fit customers who need customization for their application. In this ebook, “7 Steps to a Application Engineered Cooking Solution,” our application and technical engineers outline our process from concept to delivery, focusing on the ThermaBlend Cooker with customization resource charts.
1. Scope Definition
Technical, experienced Mepaco® sales managers visit the customer site and meet with the project team, which may include operations, maintenance, and engineering stakeholders. Mepaco engineers may visit the site to create or verify the plant layout to include the flow of operations and how to configure equipment based on traffic, existing equipment, and utilities.
Through the site visit and subsequent conferences, application experts discover the customer’s goals for the system, the existing processes that need to tie in, and special customer specifications required in the proposed solution, including:
• Production and volume goals
• Sanitation requirements
• Food safety solutions
• Personnel safety needs
• Footprint availability
• Automation goals
• Equipment and controls integration
• Product parameters and quality criteria
2. Refining scope
Engineering performs calculations to size and select the parameters for the equipment, and components required to meet production and operational targets. The controls group also assesses the recipe and automation goals to determine a solution for programming and devices.
3. Proposal
After a collaboration of the direction for the system, a formal quote is provided and presented to the customer’s project and purchasing team.
The sales manager will present the application solution to explain the benefits of the system and how the equipment selection, layout and controls would solve the goals of the project.
4. Engineering and Approval
After Mepaco® receives the project and purchase order, a kick-off meeting with operations, engineering and scheduling launches the project. A project engineer is also assigned to oversee the system project.
The formal approval drawings are provided to the customer to ensure all scope details have been met and discuss any additional requirements.
5. Detailing
After the drawings are approved, Mepaco® engineers begin the manufacturing detail for the fabrication of equipment. Detailing included CNC and fabrication programming, assembly drawings, parts and finishing details.
As with all projects and orders, detailed processes are followed and tracked throughout the manufacturing cycle in Apache’s enterprise system.
6. Manufacturing
Manufacturing is scheduled after engineering detailing, considering shop availability, and confirming with the customer.
The controls team works concurrently to program the recipe and automation controls for the system. Control panels are wired and tested when the equipment is close to completion in the factory.
The system can be set up in our plant for a FAT (Field Acceptance Test) if required. Customers are welcomed at Apache Stainless and Mepaco® to go through the system parameters with our manufacturing team and engineers.
7. Transport and Installation
The customer provides a time frame for equipment delivery to install equipment.
Apache Stainless delivers equipment with door-to-door transport service.
The Mepaco® field services group are often called for start-up assistance, supervision, and maintenance training.
Download our guide, “7 Steps to an Application Engineered Solution”.
