Visual Components training — robot simulation and virtual commissioning course
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Visual Components training
from certified VC engineers

From first layout to virtual commissioning — live, instructor-led Visual Components courses taught by engineers who use VC daily on real robot cells, facility designs, and PLC integration projects.

VC Partner
Certified Visual Components partner since 2012
1000+
robot models in the VC library — all covered in training
OPC UA
TwinCAT, PLC Sim, offline programming — all covered

Who is this training for?

Visual Components is used by two different audiences — and our training is designed for both. Engineering teams at system integrators and machine builders who need to design robot cells, validate layouts, generate offline programs, and connect to PLC software. And sales and pre-sales engineers who want to build compelling 3D demos to win automation projects.

The courses are sequenced so you can start at the right level — whether you've never opened Visual Components before, or you're already comfortable with layouts and want to move into virtual commissioning.

Why instructor-led over self-study? The Visual Components Academy has excellent free tutorials. But when you're building models for real projects — complex kinematics, custom components, PLC integration — you hit questions that no tutorial anticipates. An instructor who has solved the same problems on client projects saves you days of trial and error.

The Visual Components learning path

Level 1
Start
Getting Started
Interface, navigation, first layout, process modelling basics
Level 2
Design
Layout & Simulation
Facility layout, robot cells, component modelling, throughput analysis
Level 3
Program
Robot Programming
Robot programs, offline programming, multi-robot coordination
Level 4
Commission
Virtual Commissioning
OPC UA, TwinCAT, PLC Sim, HIL, PLC code validation

Course options

Beginner · Essentials+
1 day · Online or on-site

Getting Started with Visual Components

For anyone new to Visual Components — engineering, sales, or management. Build your first simulation layout, understand the interface, and create a basic process model and robot program by end of day.

Interface navigation and 3D world
Layout configuration with Process Modelling
Component library — robots, conveyors, fixtures
Basic robot program (grasp and release)
3D PDF export for customer presentations
Key performance metrics and dashboards
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Intermediate · Professional+
2 days · Online or on-site

Robot Programming & Offline Programming

For engineers who need to generate real robot programs from simulation — RAPID (ABB), KRL (KUKA), LS (Fanuc), URScript (Universal Robots). Programs are exported and uploaded directly to the controller.

Robot programming in VC — positions, logic, sequences
Multi-robot coordination and interlocking
Offline programming for ABB, KUKA, Fanuc, UR
Program export and post-processor configuration
Calibration and real-world position accuracy
Signal-based coordination with conveyors and fixtures
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Advanced · Premium
2–3 days · Online or on-site

Virtual Commissioning & PLC Integration

Connect Visual Components to real PLC software and validate control logic before the physical system exists. Covers OPC UA, TwinCAT ADS, Siemens PLC Sim Advanced, and hardware-in-the-loop.

OPC UA connection — setup and signal mapping
TwinCAT ADS integration (Beckhoff)
Siemens PLC Sim Advanced
Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) with real PLC hardware
Systematic PLC code testing methodology
Fault injection, edge cases, emergency stop testing
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Custom
Flexible · Online or on-site

Sales Demo Training

Specifically for sales and pre-sales engineers who want to build 3D animation demos for customer proposals and trade shows. No engineering background required — focuses on visual output and presentation.

Fast layout building from rough data
Animation quality and camera work
Video export and presentation formats
Trade show loop creation
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Consulting
Hourly · Remote

VC Expert Consulting

Stuck on a specific Visual Components problem — kinematics, a custom component, OPC UA connectivity, or offline programming post-processor? Book consulting hours with a certified VC engineer.

Component modelling and kinematics
OPC UA and PLC connection issues
Offline programming post-processor setup
Model performance and file size issues
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Which Visual Components licence do you need?

CourseEssentialsProfessionalPremium
Getting Started
Layout Design & Robot Cell
Robot Programming & Offline
Virtual Commissioning & PLC
Sales Demo Training

If your team doesn't have Visual Components licences yet, contact us — as a certified VC partner we can advise on the right tier for your intended use before the course begins.

Delivery formats

Online (live): conducted over video call with screen sharing. Participants build alongside the instructor in real time, sharing their VC screen for immediate feedback. No minimum group size.

On-site (Europe): instructor at your office. Best for groups of 2–5 and for courses involving hands-on model work that benefits from direct observation. Can include a review of your current models.

Visual ComponentsEnglish / German / PolishOnline or on-site1–5 participantsVC certified partner
FAQ

Common questions about Visual Components training

Getting Started, Sales Demo, Layout Design, and Robot Programming courses are all doable with Essentials. Custom development requires Professional or Premium. The Virtual Commissioning course requires Premium for OPC UA and PLC connectivity. If you're not sure which licence you have or need, contact us — as a certified VC partner we can advise on the right licence tier.
Yes — offline programming is covered in depth in the Robot Programming course. You'll create robot programs in the simulation and export them in the robot's native language (RAPID for ABB, KRL for KUKA, LS for Fanuc, URScript for Universal Robots). These programs are uploaded directly to the real robot controller without manual teaching on site.
Yes — the Getting Started and Sales Demo Training courses are designed with sales and pre-sales engineers in mind. You don't need a deep engineering background. By end of day one, most participants can build a credible 3D animation of a robot cell suitable for a customer proposal. Many system integrators train their sales teams alongside their engineering teams for exactly this reason.
Yes — and it's often most valuable for PLC programmers who want to test their code virtually before going to site. The course covers how to connect your PLC software (TwinCAT, Siemens PLC Sim, OPC UA) to the Visual Components model, and how to set up a systematic test protocol. Prior experience with PLC programming is helpful but not required.
Yes — all courses are available in English, German, and Polish. Given our offices in Dresden and Wrocław, German and Polish are natural choices for many of our clients in the DACH region and Poland. The course materials are typically in English but all instruction and discussion can be in your preferred language.
Absolutely — and we encourage it. Using your actual model as the training vehicle dramatically accelerates practical competence. The instructor can review your model, identify issues, suggest improvements, and guide you through solving the specific problems you're facing. This is most effective for the Layout Design, Robot Programming, and Virtual Commissioning courses.
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Build your Visual Components capability

Tell us your VC licence tier, team size, current experience level, and what you want to achieve. We'll propose the right course and send a quote within 24 hours.

Response within 24 hours
Content tailored to your VC licence and goals
Online or on-site delivery
VC licences available if needed

Germany — Dresden

Anton-Graff-Str. 24, D-01309
dresden@simulatefirst.com
+49 (0) 351 30906020

Poland — Wrocław

ul. Powstańców Śląskich 5, 53-332
polska@simulatefirst.com
+48 75 6406434

We respond within 24 hours · Quote provided before any commitment

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