{"id":5799,"date":"2023-01-16T18:31:10","date_gmt":"2023-01-16T23:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/?p=5799"},"modified":"2024-12-02T10:22:41","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T15:22:41","slug":"virtual-commissioning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/virtual-commissioning\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual Commissioning: Is It the Future for Automation?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever wished you could just try out a new automation solution before you bought it? This is the idea behind virtual commissioning\u2026 and it may be the future of automation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With virtual commissioning, you create a virtual model of your ideal automation solutions. You can test out those solutions, tweak them, and see how the automation technology will work with your specific process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Commissioning any automation solution can be a complex and time-consuming process. With virtual commissioning, you can use robotic simulation technology to reduce both that complexity and the time. It avoids unnecessary downtime<\/a> because you don’t have to take your existing machines offline to test the automation solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seems likely that virtual commissioning will remain a core step in the automation process from now on. If you are looking for a way to streamline your deployment process, this option may be the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is Virtual Commissioning?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Virtual commissioning is the use of simulation technology to design, install, and test automation solutions before deploying the physical hardware into a manufacturing environment. For example, robotic simulation software can optimize a robot’s deployment without unnecessary downtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the center of any virtual commissioning project is the simulation software. This software will include virtual models of any automation technology that might be used, as well as algorithms and functionality to test the operation of your system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With robotic solutions, you can use the same simulation software to program the physical robot. RoboDK includes both simulation and offline programming functionalities<\/a>. Once you have finished testing your deployment in the simulator, you can connect your physical robot and download the program directly to the robotic hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Difference Between Virtual and Traditional Commissioning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Is virtual commissioning really that different from traditional commissioning?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few key differences between the two approaches to commissioning<\/a> an automation project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditional commissioning typically occurs on-site at the physical location where you will deploy the automation solution, such as your factory floor. You bring various physical tools and testing equipment for manual troubleshooting. This means that you may have to shut down some or all of your existing manufacturing processes for the duration of the commissioning project, which can be costly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With virtual commissioning, you perform most of the deployment remotely, only coming on site at the very end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, the traditional commissioning process often takes longer and requires a larger team for on-site implementation. With virtual commissioning, a small team or even a single person can do most of the deployment remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Does Virtual Commissioning Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The basic idea is to create a simulation or digital twin<\/a> of your automation solution. This is a virtual model showing how the machine (or machines) will work in your process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You use this virtual model to test out different scenarios to see how this will affect the automation solution. This helps you to optimize the solution before you take it to the physical environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual commissioning with a robot simulator involves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n