Software supplier Dassault Systèmes (Paris) announced that its subsidiary Delmia Corp.’s (Auburn Hills, MI) IGRlP robotic solution and UltraPaint systems have been implemented at the Caterpillar manufacturing facility in Decatur, IL, to upgrade the off-road equipment manufacturer’s robotic paint lines.

With the IGRIP and UltraPaint systems, Caterpillar upgraded its robotic lines with new robots requiring extensive reprogramming. IGRIP is a physics-based, scalable robotic simulation solution for quick and graphical modeling and off-line programming (OLP) of complex, multidevice robotic workcells for applications such as painting, welding, dispensing, material removal, and machine tending. Its OLP capability allows users to accurately program robotic systems without tying up physical resources on the factory floor, reducing man-hours and process engineering lead-time while improving accuracy.

The UltraPaint solution includes a complete set of painting simulation tools. Spray gun and paint attributes can be entered into the painting device and the results can be graphically displayed in multiple colors illustrating relative film thickness; exact thickness can be obtained though the uses of a built-in film build gauge. Complex paint booths can be constructed, and multiple robot moving line applications can be simulated.