Payload-based robot speed reduction in Visual Components

Hi everyone,

We are currently using Visual Components 4.3 Professional and working with industrial robot simulations.

In our model, the robot has a defined payload limit (e.g. 5 kg). We attach a gripper to the robot and assign mass property to the handled part via modeling → properties → real (e.g. a 4 kg part).

In real applications, a robot typically operates at higher speeds when unloaded and reduces speed when carrying a heavy payload close to its payload limit. However, in Visual Components, assigning mass to the gripper or the part does not automatically affect robot motion speed.

Is there a recommended or built-in way in Visual Components to simulate payload-dependent speed reduction (e.g. slower motion when carrying a heavy payload), or is this expected to be implemented manually via robot speed parameters or scripting?

I am not looking for controller-level dynamic accuracy, but rather a realistic representation of payload-aware behavior at the simulation level.

Any best practices or official guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

VC robots don’t have dynamics in them so there’s really no built-in way to simulate this. Only with Kuka.Sim add-on on VC Premium (since 4.5 or something) it is possible to take mass and inertia into account for motion simulation. For other brands to introduce accurate motion simulation we have connectivity plugins which allow you to outsource motion simulation to native VRCs by connecting the model to software like RobotStudio or RoboGuide.

-k