The importance of virtual design simulation in manufacturing robotics

Entering the circular economy is the pinnacle of sustainable manufacturing. Guided by this approach, manufacturers can reduce waste in manufacturing and increase the amount of product waste that can be recycled.

Robots, while having been utilized in manufacturing since the 1960s, are still not adequately utilized to increase manufacturing output and realize more flexible and complex production lines—but are also very large, power-intensive and cumbersome. This means that getting them to integrate effectively with existing workflows can still be a challenge, however powerful they may be on paper.

As a result, manufacturers have begun to dig deeper into what computer-aided engineering is all about. While many manufacturers have already started to utilize simulation to accelerate the integration of robotics with their production lines, current approaches are not holistic enough to ensure robotics is accurately deployed in the context of their current and future production needs.

Download our exclusive ebook today to learn how you can leverage these simulation capabilities—which includes a robot library of over 1,700 accurate simulation models from popular robot manufacturers—to advance the deployment of robotics with your production lines.

There is only one industry-proven approach that facilitates the validation of production systems and robot programming in a collaborative environment from end to end—from conceptualization to construction—while being able to consider KPIs like:

In this virtual environment, engineers can use robotics tools to show how well the product and tool designs work together, implement virtual testing and set the stage for the effective use of this cutting-edge manufacturing technology.

The manufacturing industry needs to contend with two big emerging megatrends: An aging population and increasingly personalized and complex products. By 2050, over 20 percent of the global population will be comprised of those over 60 (it’s currently around 8 percent) even as world populations decline, presenting significant talent shortages.

In order to de-risk operations in the face of the challenges of the coming decades, manufacturers need to act today.

Dassault Systèmes offers comprehensive robotics solutions to help manufacturers actualize more flexible, complex and distributed production sites. These powerful solutions are powered by the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE® platform, a collaborative environment for multidisciplinary teams to aggregate all requirements (from markets, top customers, sales, service, research and more) during the specifications phase and during its lifecycle to define and optimize a complete portfolio.

Moreover, these teams can conduct virtual commissioning and simulation of the line or cell to reduce delays during final commissioning and virtually assess risks and develop safety documentation as pre-validation of the line or cell.

As a result, manufacturers can:

• Ensure all suppliers work against a shared project schedule
• Manage variants for modularization strategies and speed-up worldwide
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• Produce at a lower cost and innovate more quickly
• Realize more sustainable lines that are less energy intensive and wasteful