A digital twin makes it possible to rapidly test and develop new manufacturing processes and systems, before making changes in the real world. It also makes it possible to modify, predict and optimize processes in real time.
A digital twin, as the name states, is a digital copy of a product, production process, factory or entire supply chain. The potential areas of application are endless, and digital twins are seen as one of the most important strategic trends in manufacturing technology, driven by the advance in computing and sensor technology.
At MADE’s Innovation Conference on digital twins, the participants were presented with examples of digital twins and how they are used for optimizing robot solutions as well as design of logistic systems.
At the conference, Jesper Hattel, professor at Technical University of Denmark, explained the development of the digital twin concept and how digital models have now become so advanced and true to reality, in large thanks to data in 3D format.
Apart from being used to optimize manufacturing, digital twins are also ideal for assistance and service assignments, training of employees and for educational purposes where they are connected to augmented and virtual reality tools. The technology can thus supersede the heavy books and manuals with intuitive, graphic and user-friendly computer models of products and production.
