Ponsse drives efficiency in forest machine production with Visual Components OLP

Ponsse, a global leader in forest machine manufacturing, uses Visual Components robot offline programming (OLP) software to improve welding productivity, reduce robot programming time from 10 days to 1, and validate weld designs before production. In a high-mix, low-volume environment, OLP enables Ponsse to deliver customized, modular machines faster and with higher quality.

Customer-focused forest machine manufacturing
Founded in 1970 in Finland, Ponsse Plc. is a global pioneer in the forest machine industry. With a 40,000 sq. m. (430,000 sq. ft.) factory in Vieremä, the company specializes in environmentally-friendly cut-to-length forest machines. Ponsse employs over 1,800 people, operates in 40 different countries, and manufactures a wide range of harvesters, forwarders, and other machines. Innovation is one of Ponsse’s core values, driving its commitment to advancing sustainable forestry through continuous improvement.

Ponsse’s machines are highly modular and customized for each customer. Their batch size is one, and each machine is configured according to customer needs. This level of customization makes automation and flexible robot programming critical for maintaining productivity. To meet customer demand, Ponsse manufactures around 1,000 machines per year and commissions approximately one new robot station annually.

Faster robot offline programming for welding productivity
In demanding production environments, welding automation plays a key role in boosting productivity. Recognizing this, Ponsse has consistently prioritized welding process development. More than 15 years ago, the company introduced robotic welding as part of a broader initiative to automate as many production steps as possible.

When Ponsse incorporated robotic welding into their operations, they encountered difficulties because of the complexity and time-consuming nature of robot programming. The programming was carried out online using a teach pendant, requiring the robot to be inactive for a two-week period until the programming was finalized. This pause in operation had significant cost consequences, as it could potentially cause delays in the manufacturing process.

To address these challenges and significantly reduce robot programming time, Ponsse needed a partner with the expertise and understanding of offline programming. The solution combines the offline programming expertise of Delfoi Robotics, now Visual Components OLP, with the powerful Visual Components platform.



Ponsse sets high standards for its production processes and expects the same level of customer-centric, long-term commitment, and reliability from its partners. Visual Components OLP software, previously known as Delfoi Robotics, has been fulfilling these requirements since 2007.

Enhancing automation utilization for continuous production
With the help of Visual Components OLP, despite Ponsse’s highly demanding production processes and complexity of the robot programs, the programs can be completed within one day. The programs consist of Yaskawa robots performing the welding of forest machine frames, including several curved welds and welds within frame structures.

Validating weld designs with simulation software
In addition to offline programming, Ponsse uses the robot programming and simulation software to evaluate weld design for practicality, weldability, and accessibility. By testing weld design in conjunction with product development, the manufacturer ensures that the welding process is efficient and can reach difficult areas. This helps maximize the proportion of robotic welding relative to manual welding.




During online robot teaching, there are scenarios where “hidden spots” in the welded parts are not visible to the operator and therefore require manual welding. However, with offline programming, the operator can view the product in the CAD model, enabling the welding of internal, hidden areas with a robot. This significantly increases the degree of automation and accelerates the entire production lead time by dramatically reducing the need for manual welding.

Visual Components OLP is utilized not only when introducing new products but also in refining existing programs, reflecting Ponsse’s commitment to continuous development.

Streamlining robotic station design and calibration of multi-robot brands
When planning for new robot cells, Ponsse uses Visual Components from the robotics concept design to ready-to-go robot programs. The design of new robot layouts is an iterative process, during which Ponsse uses Visual Components as a layout design tool. This tool helps define the optimal layout for a specific robot configuration and the products to be manufactured in the robot cell. The all-in-one Visual Components OLP, being universal and compatible with all major robot brands, supports Ponsse’s use of multiple industrial robots from different manufacturers.




The advanced simulation capabilities of Visual Components OLP enable accurate validation of robot programs prior to their deployment in production. The final stage of new robotic station implementation, known as commissioning, involves calibration of the designed robot cell for accuracy, ensuring that the programs function accurately for a faster production ramp up. Ponsse has several Yaskawa and ABB robot stations, all of which are programmed offline.

Ponsse’s partnership with Visual Components has resulted in significant time savings, improved productivity and automation utilization, streamlined robotic station planning with faster and easier robot programming. This case study exemplifies how Ponsse, a global leader in forest machines, has harnessed innovation and productivity with Visual Components OLP to stay ahead of the competition in the industry.