“Designing a machine line should feel less like guesswork — and more like solving a puzzle that clicks into place.”
In 2022, we set out to solve a common problem in industrial planning: How do you quickly and clearly design a production line without getting lost in CAD drawings, spreadsheets, and guesswork?
The result was our Virtual Production Experience — a simple, intuitive layout and production modeling tool designed for assembling machine lines from predefined parts. The first version was created in collaboration with ECON, known for their innovative plastic recycling technology. Their machines became the foundation of a fixed library, where each unit was modeled, labeled, and prepped for layout snapping and simulation.
At its core, the tool works like a drag-and-drop sandbox. Users can pull machines from a menu and build out full production lines using snap-to-fit placement. Compatible units automatically align and adjust to ensure clean connections — and that the final layout is simulation-ready.
Once a layout is complete, the user can run a simulation of the line to test how melted and granulated plastic pellets would flow through the machines. If a connection doesn’t work or something’s off, the system logs the issue clearly. No guessing, no misalignment, no wasted time.
It’s not just a pretty interface — it’s a working digital twin that helps teams test layouts before they build them.
Even though it’s one of our earlier production modeling tools, and has been running solidly for four years, it laid the groundwork for the real-time, intuitive factory planning tools we’re building today.
This approach has a lot of potential beyond just one brand. The system could easily be adapted to any kind of modular machine line — whether it’s recycling, packaging, assembly, or logistics.
And the best part? It’s actually fun to use. A bit like digital LEGO for factory nerds.
