Visual Components has launched version 5.1 of its 3D manufacturing simulation and robot offline programming software, targeting the growing complexity of autonomous production environments. The update introduces high-accuracy physics simulation and scalable robot orchestration, allowing manufacturers to model hundreds of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robots, products, and people operating simultaneously in full-factory scenarios.
Key takeaways
- Simulation performance improved up to 10x, enabling large-scale mobile robot fleets with advanced collision avoidance in a single environment.
- New connectivity support for Allen-Bradley PLCs and virtual commissioning plugins for Nachi and Epson robots.
- Scripting environment upgraded to Python 3, replacing a legacy system that constrained robot program development.
The release addresses risks such as traffic bottlenecks, collision hazards, commissioning delays, and layout inefficiencies by allowing validation of controller logic and dynamic operations before deployment. It is particularly relevant for automotive, electronics, logistics, and healthcare manufacturers integrating mobile fleets with traditional automation. According to CTO Mika Anttila, the tool enables validation of interactions among hundreds of moving resources before installation, while CEO Mikko Urho emphasizes reducing risk through earlier validation in the planning process.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2026-06-11 · “Visual Components launches new version of its factory simulation software”