Visual Components, a developer of 3D simulation software, acquired the robotics division of Delfoi, which provides robot offline programming (OLP) software solutions. This gives the Finnish organization the foundation to expand in the U.S. and globally by complementing its existing simulation tools for production systems and virtual commissioning with OLP capabilities.
OLP capabilities can give discrete manufacturers and system integrators the opportunity to program robots on the factory floor, alongside Visual Components’ existing product offering of layout design, feasibility and validation of control logics, robot programs and processes. This acquisition is designed to make Visual Components the machine builder and end users' one-stop-shop for digital transformation of production systems and enable them to benefit from reduced levels of downtime and improve the accuracy of robotic programming processes.
These capabilities will help to meet the growing demand for effective utilization of robotics in the manufacturing environment, alongside the increased use of simulation and virtual commissioning.Â
The acquisition will benefit Visual Components' customers because it can also help them save on costs and enable more sustainable practices with the use of one tool to complete both robotic programming and simulation projects. Delfoi has experience in robotic applications such as cutting, welding and surface processes, which will help bring improved solutions to manufacturers and system integrators.
“This acquisition is a natural next step in a long working relationship with Delfoi, with the business having utilized our simulation software for over ten years. It’s fantastic to now be joining forces with another Finnish company to meet the demand from manufacturers to effectively utilize robots on the factory floor as Industry 5.0 grows in importance. Our customers now benefit from a solution that covers the entire production system lifecycle,” said Mikko Urho, CEO at Visual Components.
Following year-on-year turnover growth of 45% and a 25% increase in employee numbers, the organization expects to have more than 100 employees by the end of the year with this acquisition. This growth of employees is expected to continue in 2023. Visual Components is also looking to further invest in development, sales and marketing to continue its upward growth trajectory as the Delfoi robotics team is integrated into the organization’s Finland-based headquarters.
