Visual Components: 3D Manufacturing Simulation and Robot Offline Programming

Visual Components is a Finnish industrial software company founded in 1999 by a team of simulation experts. Part of the KUKA Group since 2017, the company develops 3D manufacturing simulation and robot offline programming software for machine builders, system integrators, and manufacturers. The company is recognised as a pioneer in the 3D manufacturing simulation industry, providing a platform for factory layout design, production simulation, virtual commissioning, and offline robot programming.

Products and Capabilities

Visual Components combines several manufacturing simulation and automation capabilities within an integrated software platform:

Manufacturing Simulation : A 3D simulation environment for designing and validating new production solutions. Users can create factory layouts, simulate production processes, and test different scenarios before physical implementation — reducing risk and accelerating decision-making.

Robot Offline Programming (OLP) : Software for creating efficient, error-free robot programs using 3D CAD data, with support for multi-brand robot programming within a common software environment. Programs can be downloaded directly to physical robots, reducing production downtime and programming errors.

Virtual Commissioning : Early detection and resolution of production issues through virtual commissioning — enabling faster ramp-up and reduced on-site commissioning time.

Experience and Ecosystem : Tools for showcasing simulations across different formats — including mobile viewing, website embedding, and immersive VR — plus partner-developed add-ons, plugins, and integrations to extend the platform’s capabilities.

Visual Components for Automation and Digital Manufacturing

For system integrators, machine builders, and production teams, Visual Components offers several distinct capabilities:

Extensive Component Library : Visual Components provides a library containing thousands of ready-made 3D models, including industrial robots, conveyors, machines, robot tools, and other factory equipment from multiple manufacturers — reducing time spent on modelling and enabling faster simulation setup.

Multi-Brand Robot Programming : Unlike single-brand offline programming tools, Visual Components supports programming across different robot types within a single environment — reducing the need for multiple software packages and specialised training.

Digital Twin Workflows : Simulation and virtual commissioning support digital twin implementation — enabling manufacturers to reduce production risk and improve efficiency.

Mobile Robotics and Intralogistics : Simulation of AGV and AMR fleets, material flows, and autonomous production environments before physical deployment — addressing the growing use of mobile automation in manufacturing.

Virtual Validation Before Deployment : Production processes, robot programs, and material flows can be validated virtually before committing to physical implementation — reducing costly on-site corrections.

Who Uses Visual Components?

Visual Components serves a range of manufacturing professionals and organisations:

System Integrators : Streamlining RFQ/RFP response workflows, designing production solutions with confidence, and presenting work in formats accessible to technical staff and stakeholders.

Machine Builders and OEMs : Designing, simulating, and validating new production solutions — reducing costly mistakes and ensuring precision.

Manufacturing Operations and Production Teams : Factory layout design and optimisation, production flow simulation, virtual commissioning, and digital twin implementation for production planning and continuous improvement.

Manufacturing Applications

Visual Components is used across a range of manufacturing and automation applications:

Factory Layout Planning : Designing and optimising factory layouts before physical implementation.

Production Flow Simulation : Simulating material flows, cycle times, and production throughput.

Robot Programming : Offline programming for industrial robots across multiple brands and applications.

Virtual Commissioning : Simulating and testing production systems before on-site installation.

Digital Twin Workflows : Using simulation data for ongoing production optimisation and performance monitoring.

Mobile Robotics Simulation : AGV and AMR fleet simulation, including navigation, traffic management, and material flow.

Material Handling and Logistics : Simulation of conveyor systems, storage, and material movement.

Visual Components and automatica Munich

Visual Components exhibited at automatica Munich in 2025, presenting its 3D manufacturing simulation and robot offline programming technologies. For broader information on the event, explore the BHOWCO automatica Munich Trade Fair Overview or visit the official automatica website.

Visual Components FAQ

• What is Visual Components’ core product?
  Visual Components provides a 3D manufacturing simulation and robot offline programming platform — enabling factory layout design, production simulation, virtual commissioning, and robot programming.
• What is the component library?
  Visual Components provides a library containing thousands of ready-made 3D models, including industrial robots from multiple manufacturers, conveyors, machines, robot tools, and other factory equipment.
• What is robot offline programming?
  OLP enables creating and testing robot programs on a computer using 3D CAD data, then downloading them to the physical robot — reducing production downtime and programming errors.
• Does Visual Components support multiple robot brands?
  Yes. Visual Components supports multi-brand robot programming within a single environment — enabling system integrators and manufacturers to program different robot types without switching between software packages.
• What manufacturing applications can be simulated with Visual Components?
  Visual Components can be used for factory layout planning, production flow simulation, robot programming, virtual commissioning, material handling, digital twin workflows, and the simulation of automated production environments involving industrial robots, AGVs, and AMRs.