Visual Components Company Profile: History, Ownership and Products
Updated: 7 days ago
Visual Components makes 3D simulation software for planning factories and programming robots offline. It was founded in 1999 and has been owned by KUKA since December 2017. This profile sets out its history, ownership and products.
Visual Components at a Glance
Fact | Detail |
Company | Visual Components |
Founded | 1999 |
Owner | KUKA, since December 2017 |
Robot library | More than 1,500 robot models from over 50 brands |
Sales network | More than 40 partners, resellers and consultants |
Latest version | Visual Components 5.0, released in 2026 |
Company History
Visual Components was founded in 1999 by simulation specialists who wanted to make manufacturing simulation easy to use. Its relationship with KUKA goes back to 2003, when KUKA released a robot simulation tool that Visual Components had developed. The company launched its own 3D product family in 2005 and a new 64-bit platform with open interfaces, version 4.0, in 2016. KUKA bought the company the following year.
Key milestones
1999: Founded.
2003: KUKA.Sim Layout, developed by Visual Components, released.
2005: 3D product family launched.
2016: Visual Components 4.0.
December 2017: Acquired by KUKA.
October 2022: Robotics division of Delfoi acquired.
2023: Visual Components Robotics OLP launched.
2026: Visual Components 5.0 released.
Products
Product | Purpose |
Manufacturing simulation | 3D layout and simulation of production lines and factories |
Robotics OLP | Offline programming of robots for welding and other processes |
FactoryLens | Visualization built on NVIDIA Omniverse libraries |
Experience | Free products for viewing and presenting simulations |
Ecosystem | Add-ons and integrations built by partners |
Although owned by KUKA, the software supports robots from more than 50 brands.
Can You Invest in Visual Components?
No. It belongs to KUKA, which is itself owned by Midea Group and not separately listed.
Strengths and Challenges
Strengths
A long-established simulation platform with a large robot library.
Offline programming strengthened by the Delfoi acquisition.
A worldwide reseller network.
Challenges
Competition from larger industrial software groups.
The need to stay neutral toward other robot makers while owned by one.
Current Catalogue Coverage
Catalogue checked on 15 October 2026: 5 associated product records. The links below are representative entries, rather than a claim that every historical model is currently available.
Visual Components FAQ
Who owns Visual Components?
KUKA, since December 2017.
When was Visual Components founded?
In 1999.
What does Visual Components make?
3D manufacturing simulation and robot offline programming software.
Does it only work with KUKA robots?
No. It supports more than 1,500 robot models from over 50 brands.
What is the latest version?
Visual Components 5.0, released in 2026.
Sources
Visual Components: about us
