K-Virtual the new Kawasaki Software Tool

The 3D simulation platform K-Virtual is the latest output of the long-standing partnership between Kawasaki Robotics and CENIT. Industry robots by Kawasaki are deployed in complex manufacturing processes. To ensure maximum robot performance, the company uses the simulation-based technology of CENIT FASTSUITE Edition 2 to plan its automation solutions and manufacturing processes.

K-Virtual - available in three editions – perfectly suited for your individual needs.

The core product is providing essential functions to teach and simulate robot operations. In conjunction with the virtual teach pendant, it is usable for virtual commissioning and validation of robot programs. The arcweld add-on is providing true parametric CAD-to-path strategies for creating arcweld operations. Customers’ can directly load their weld assembly from CAD and can create a complete weld program for it – including not only the motion instructions for the robot but also all weld parameters and even sensor and camera support. The “Expert” version enables customers and system integrators to build their own robot cell layout and to include their own simulation components into the layout.

,, We want our customers to be able to custom-build the perfect solution for their needs. In many cases the basic functionalities of K-Virtual Basic are more than sufficient – such as testing and feasibility studies. K-Virtual Arc offers everything that is needed to perfectly automate robot welding – easily set up the perfect welding paths. K-Virtual Expert is the optimal package for those who will build solutions and systems from the ground up, creating resources and components from scratch. It allows full control of every single element of the simulation.'' underlines Carsten Stumpf: Vice President Kawasaki Robotics GmbH.

Being able to program robots quickly and intuitively has quickly evolved into an important factor in robotics. Especially when it comes to efficiently automate productions with a wide range of product varieties, a 3D-visualized tool effectively saves time and therefore money. One of Kawasaki Robotics major goals is to make automation as accessible as possible. 

Software becomes even more important when it comes to process automation. With hardware only and no software, it is nearly impossible to successfully deliver automation projects. No customer is willing to teach robots. The advantage of K-Virtual is a perfect merge of innovative OLP functionality (parametric CAD-to-path algorithms) with controller-specific technology integration. The software is customized to perfectly support arc welding processes using Kawasaki robots and the Kawasaki weld controllers with all necessary weld strategies and parameters. Thanks to this partnership, Kawasaki has become more competitive by having its own OLP software. Customers can benefit from a very efficient, perfectly customized software that is extremely easy to use – even for complex weld operations and parts with many weld lines.

Also internally at Kawasaki, the Tech Departments at Kawasaki Robotics EMEA have been using it and gathering experience for quite some time now – so have some of Kawasaki Robotics international partners/integrators. The feedback has been extremely positive: The tool is easy to use, offers all required functionalities, and offers an excellent presentation – an important factor when communicating layouts, programs and solutions.