Acticon launches MagiCAD plugin for professional kitchen ventilation design

Efficient kitchen ventilation planning – now easier than ever

Acticon is a Swedish manufacturer specialising in high-quality ventilation products and systems for professional kitchens. With a strong focus on innovation, energy efficiency and clean air, Acticon serves as a reliable partner for MEP designers and contractors across the Nordics and beyond.

Now, Acticon has launched a powerful new tool to make HVAC design for professional kitchens even more efficient: the Acticon GastroFlow Plugin for MagiCAD for AutoCAD.

“For us, listening to our customers has always been a top priority, it’s how we learn what we can do to make their work easier. Offering a plugin for our customised professional kitchen products felt like a natural next step,” says Ida Göthberg, Designer at Acticon.

Streamlining design with the Acticon GastroFlow Plugin

The GastroFlow Plugin is developed to support MEP designers working with complex kitchen environments, where precision and performance are crucial. By importing 3D models of Acticon’s customised hoods directly into MagiCAD for AutoCAD, the plugin removes the need for manual modelling and ensures that the system’s technical data, such as airflow, pressure drop and noise levels – is always up to date.

Designers receive preconfigured hood files directly from Acticon, based on project-specific requirements. These can then be seamlessly inserted into their MagiCAD projects using the plugin. The result: faster workflows, fewer errors, and more reliable ventilation planning from the outset.

“Working together with MagiCAD Group on this project has been very smooth. Their experience and knowledge in this area have made it possible for us to create a plugin together that’s tailored to both our products and the needs of our users,” says Ida Göthberg.

How the Acticon GastroFlow Plugin works

The plugin includes two modules within MagiCAD:

Import Gastro Hood – for importing .mchoodproject files of Acticon’s GastroFlow range

Import Hood – for importing standard hood types in .acticon file format

When importing a GastroFlow hood, the designer is prompted to define positioning parameters such as supply and extract systems, hood height levels and connection points. The plugin also allows for a preview of the hood and provides access to essential technical data, making it easy to verify and adjust before placement.

“Every project is unique, and different conditions bring different challenges. That’s why it’s so important to provide tools that support the designer and help implement our products as smoothly as possible,” adds Ida Göthberg.

The designer selects the appropriate supply and extract systems, defines height levels, and reviews airflow data before inserting the hood into the model.

Once inserted into the model, the hoods behave like any other MagiCAD object, ready for ductwork connection and further system design.

After confirmation, the customised GastroFlow hood is placed into the model and positioned as needed, streamlining coordination with duct systems.

Looking ahead – Digital tools for a sustainable future

As the demand for energy-efficient and sustainable building solutions grows, HVAC manufacturers are expected to innovate and adapt continuously.

“Advances in technology and stricter energy efficiency requirements are creating new opportunities and the industry must constantly evolve to meet customers’ expectations. That benefits everyone. Digital development will play a key role in future efficiency improvements. Sustainability is, and will remain, central,” says Ida Göthberg.

Download the MagiCAD Plugin for Acticon GastroFlow here

About Acticon

Founded in Bankeryd, Sweden, Acticon has built a strong reputation for high-performance ventilation solutions in both the construction and retrofit markets. With in-house development and production, they can deliver tailored products and systems that meet the exacting demands of modern building projects – from commercial kitchens to healthcare facilities.

Acticon’s vision is to contribute to better indoor environments by combining smart design with advanced technology. Their mission is clear: provide MEP professionals with the tools and products needed to create efficient, sustainable and safe ventilation systems.

With the GastroFlow Plugin, Acticon demonstrates their commitment to supporting the industry with user-friendly solutions that bridge the gap between design intent and real-world implementation.
www.acticon.se

MagiCAD Cloud is the leading BIM platform connecting MEP designers with manufacturers worldwide. It provides high-quality BIM objects, product configurators, and design tool integrations that bring manufacturers’ products directly into the MEP design workflow. MagiCAD Cloud helps manufacturers gain visibility in real design projects, support specification at the earliest stages, and deliver smarter, greener, and more efficient buildings.