Animated 3D layouts

In order to assess and determine the exact space requirements for production systems, assembly lines or systems, a special form of 3D layout - the animated 3D layout - is often used to determine the space requirements and access for material supply in three-dimensional space from the known parameters of the systems and lines. Animated 3D layouts can also be found in practice as an extension to a static 3D layout.

It is usually difficult to estimate how much space an assembly system or production line requires alone or as a combination in a hall as a new build or conversion. Therefore, an animated 3D layout is used as an aid. In iteration loops, initial station designs are adjusted to the fine contours of the later machines or system parts and then the required space requirements are transferred to the hall layout. In addition to the system parts, an animated 3D layout also includes the flexible station parts, material supply and, if necessary, a transport system for the assembly line. The other local conditions in the hall, such as pillars, storage and open spaces or passageways, are also included in the planning. For this reason, the space requirements of systems or their arrangement are often different (larger) than otherwise absolutely necessary.

An animated 3D layout can also be used to determine risk potentials. Bottlenecks for people and technology, component collisions, work spaces and gripping paths are determined and adjusted here. As a supplement to the conventional 3D layout, an animated layout shows the movement sequences of machines, workers and material supply depending on the expansion phase. Here, it is particularly possible to see where bottlenecks may arise and where improvements need to be made. In addition to pure planning, animation is also a good and proven means of presenting the future system to the customer. One of the biggest advantages of the animated 3D layout is that it avoids costly rework on the line and further unplanned investments.