Robot simulation is an important part of the manufacturing design process. It’s often defined as a digital representation of the physical world.

At Facteon, we use robot simulation during the early analysis and planning phases of advanced manufacturing to save time and minimize the risks associated with robotic automation. Simulation gives our customers confidence that their manufacturing line or cell will be built to their expectation.

Proof of Design & Performance

Since each customer requires a bespoke solution for automating their factory, robot simulation creates a virtual illustration of the customized design. Robot simulation provides customers with digital illustrations so they can accurately see how the engineered concept of their application will perform and look like in the real world. Not only does this shorten the product delivery lead time but it gives them assurance that whatever they see in the simulation is what they will see happening in reality on their factory floor once their manufacturing line/cell is built.

Where customers already have working automated solution for their manufacturing lines we use robot simulation to illustrate and demonstrate how they can optimize their current systems with our support to improve manufacturing efficiency and throughput.

Customers can easily see the results and outcomes they can expect from their new or optimized manufacturing project so they can validate the idea of their engineered design modeling before they agree and sign off on the project to be built.

Robot simulation helps to prove the theory of the application by showing our customers what they need to know in terms of the workspace, robot functionalities as well as cycle times.

The 3 Key Benefits of Robot Simulation:

1.      Reduces Risk

It’s safer to start programming in a simulation because we’re able to see everything around the robot and identify any accidents before they could happen. Simulation gives us the opportunity to quickly see errors with high accuracy based on the original modelling of the design so adjustments can be made more proficiently. With robot simulation, errors are caught early on in the digital representation of the concept and design therefore risks of robot collision and other accidents are minimized because they can be easily fixed in the simulation software before a real-life mishap could happen.

2.      Reduces Costs

Because of the high level of detail and accuracy involved advanced manufacturing solutions, robot simulation helps reduce costs involved in production process. Various scenarios can be analyzed and simulated without the physical costs of implementing to create the most cost effective solution for the customer while ensuring maximum performance. Costs of making adjustments to the physical application are heavily reduced.

3.      Saves Time

Robot simulation is the most efficient way to validate any ideas, concepts and changes that may need to happen prior to the commissioning phase of a project. It enables the design process to take place in less time to meet customer’s timelines. The entire process can be tested before it’s built. Even when issues arise during the commissioning phase, rather than adjusting and trying to fix problems on the production floor with the physical robot, it’s much faster to re-teach the points using simulation software to validate the process and transport it back into the robots during the built phase.

At Facteon we primarily use ABB and Fanuc robots when larger robots are required in a manufacturing line. We use the robotic simulation software that is prescribed specifically for those robots. With ABB it’s faster to write code in the simulation software rather than using the robot’s own teach pendant.

Because robot simulation provides an accurate illustration of how the manufacturing line will perform and respond, customers get to virtually experience how their automated line will behave physically on their factory floor before they sign off on commissioning. Thereafter, we’re able to commission the project in the most efficient timeframe for the customer while minimizing risks and addressing issues along the way.

Find out more:

Speak with one of our team to find out whether your business will benefit from robot technology. Contact Facteon here via our contact page.