Digital twins

A digital copy can be described as a virtual model of reality. Models are most often used for the (new) design of various stages of production in the factory or for monitoring and as a source of information when changes are to be made. Using models enables the avoidance of costly issues early in the design phase, and makes it possible to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different solutions.

Basic concepts include digital twins, point cloud, virtual commissioning, emulation and simulation.

A digital twin is a digital, dynamic and digital representation (can also be called a digital copy).

It has become increasingly commonplace to create 3D models by scanning the factory with a 3D scanner in order to generate a so-called point cloud, which contains a large series of points. These points must be subsequently converted by a program (Unity, for example) in order to form a virtual environment or digital copy of the factory. This gives a better idea of space and distance which is not always provided by standard CAD drawings.

Virtual commissioning means fully testing a process, for instance, before it is put into effect in reality.

Emulation refers to the replication of a particular function. For our purposes, it means replicating a process. Simulation is the replication of reality in a controlled environment, for example, a computer program.