This allows processes to be tested, planned and calculated in advance. The new release 4.5 of Visual Components offers, among other things, a Kuka offline programming solution that enables virtual commissioning with more precise cycle times, robot paths and collisions. In addition, users of the 3D simulation software, which is offered by Dualis IT Solution as a sales partner, benefit from new features for process modeling, AGV features and more.

"Countless moving parts, unknown parameters and short cycle times. Planning and designing new robot cells can be a challenge even for very experienced engineers. To gain certainty, the use of simulation software with offline programming functions is helpful," explains Ralf Dohndorf, Vice President Factory Simulation at Dualis IT Solution.

With its software solutions, Dualis specializes in the planning and optimization of smart processes, systems and machines in networked factories. Among other things, the company develops add-ons and services for the 3D simulation platform Visual Components. The focus is on simplifying the operation of the software or modeling for certain use cases. For example, DUALIS has developed an AGV library for Visual Components that makes it easier and more precise to model the complexity of driverless transport systems in practice.

Visual Components is used for three-dimensional robot simulation, material flow and system planning, among other things. Systems can be planned precisely and errors can be identified and eliminated during the development process of a plant, hall or system.

New degrees of freedom for the simulation of robots

Release 4.5 of Visual Components includes the new KUKA OLP Solution feature for robot simulation. This allows users to program their robots in KRL (KUKA Robot Language) in the familiar syntax and transfer their projects directly to KUKA robot controllers, while integrated RCS modules enable cycle times, robot paths and possible collisions to be mapped precisely and virtual commissioning can now be carried out even more efficiently and in greater detail.

An update to the Process Modeling feature provides users with additional options for mapping more complex production processes and thus simulating them in a more practical way. With the help of new Boolean modelling functions, the possible manipulations of CAD data are extended in order to visualize and simulate applications such as cutting, machining, drilling, punching, etc.. These functions make it possible to easily merge or cut out geometry. Manufacturing applications can thus be better visualized and simulated.

The new release also includes optimized rendering. Improvements to the material shaders increase the quality of the visual representations generated by Visual Components. The need to use external renderers to create marketing materials has been reduced. In addition to these enhancements, there is an improvement in the connectivity plugin and updated CAD importers and exporters.

"Particularly with regard to Industry 4.0 and automated production, in which machines and products also communicate and interact with each other, other factors should also be taken into account in addition to robot simulation. Tools that can simulate all required resources such as workers, robots, transport systems, areas and material consumption on one platform have a clear advantage and can serve as a useful tool for future developments. These platforms can be used to map not only the logic of a robot, but also the behavior of other system-relevant components, the interaction between these components and the interaction with higher-level control systems," explains Ralf Dohndorf.