Fabmatics validates AGV use with 3D simulation

Fabmatics has been a specialist in the automation of material flows and handling processes in the semiconductor industry and other high-tech production environments for more than 30 years. The need for a simulation solution was triggered by a very complex task that a customer had presented to Fabmatics.

AGV simulation helps with testing

"Due to the complexity of the project, we decided to validate the automation concept. Simulation is a helpful method for confirming and testing it in advance. This was and is not possible with a conventional CAD solution or Excel. We wanted to use 3D simulation to prove that the planned arrangement of the automation solutions is the best way forward for the project in question," says Martin Däumler, Department Manager Product Development & Product Support at Fabmatics.

Support for individual IT developments

After an evaluation phase, the 3D simulation platform Visual Components proved to be the solution with the best price-performance ratio. Fabmatics also became aware of Dualis, an authorized reseller of the platform. Among other things, the tool offered Fabmatics an extensive component library on which the company could build. However, as functionalities for use cases were also missing at the time, Dualis provided support with individual developments or ready-to-use add-ons.

The aim: to increase transparency and verifiability

Today, 3D simulation covers more and more areas at Fabmatics. By using Visual Components, complex scenarios can be visualized and analysed in advance to ensure that planned measures achieve the intended effect. This makes design and commissioning much easier. The utilization of production facilities in real operation is also shown very clearly and comprehensibly. When designing systems, Fabmatics aims to create absolute transparency and determine valid key figures. Karsten Budach says: "We provide concrete proof of functionality and the associated effects. The customer can see impressively even before completion that our automation concept can fulfill its task."

AGV simulation reduces development costs

The software components of Visual Components can be flexibly expanded and grow with the needs of Fabmatics. With the AGV component library, which Dualis developed as an add-on for Visual Components, Fabmatics integrated a new feature in 2022. This allows Automated Guided Vehicles to be simulated, tested and planned before being used in practice. The AGV library comes with many functions that can be configured as standard. This saves manual development work in the project, and the model can be set up mainly by configuring the library modules.

Martin Däumler explains: "AGVs have a very high potential for quickly optimizing the flow of goods and materials. With the AGV library and its integrated mission manager, we can also simulate special applications without additional programming effort. This helps us to make better investment decisions and benefits our customers economically." The next step will be to connect the fleet manager.