Visual Components has announced the availability of the latest version of its software for three-dimensional (3D) factory simulation. Visual Components 2009 delivers powerful new material handling capabilities, advanced support for simulating robotics and related automation equipment, and a host of developments to increase productivity and competitiveness for customers.
Many user-requested features and enhancements mean that machine suppliers, system integrators, production engineering and manufacturing specialists may now better apply digital factory concepts by modelling, analysing and optimising proposals with least effort and maximum efficiency.
The Visual Components software accepts data from 3D CAD systems so that it can be re-used for factory simulation purposes, a strategic benefit to the customer. This feature increases the value and use of the data asset throughout the organisation, from marketing and sales to production and distribution departments.
In the new release new features include updated installer technology for compatibility with the Microsoft Vista operating system. For the rapid development of equipment control programmes, the new version includes the latest release of the Visual Components PLC Add-on, which helps control engineers connect to their Programmable Logic Controller test benches more effectively.
In addition, the eCatalogue library that is used for selecting equipment component models now features a similar concept to “play lists” used in digital music players. Using new search and filter commands, “component lists” can be generated and selected for different types of layout projects. The library itself contains over 100 of the major robot models from the main manufacturers, extensive material handling libraries, and streamlined tools to take 3D CAD data and make it “work” in realistic production scenarios. This means system integrators will now have at their fingertips a very useable and powerful tool that is extremely cost effective.
For better visualisation, factory floors and background view options now include soft and hard shadows as well as textures and reflections: this provides excellent simulation and picture quality ready for publication, and requires no intervention or manipulation.
In total, the new developments enables Visual Components 2009 to encompass 3D material flow simulation, robot cell design and analysis, and machine control visualisation all in one, fully integrated working environment. This leads to considerable time-savings, reduced costs, increased capacity, and enhanced throughput.
“Visual Components 2009 builds on our bid to bring effective and affordable factory simulation within the grasp of small to medium-size enterprise (SME) manufacturers.” said Visual Components sales director, Mikko Urho.
The Visual Components 2009 suite comprises three existing, integrated modules: 3DCreate, a complete package for building new equipment libraries and simulating the complete production concept; 3DRealize for snapping together ready-made equipment models into a working configuration; and 3DVideo for viewing a completed production layout model.
E-mail: sales@visualcomponents.com
www.visualcomponents.com
