The digital twin dominates the future scenarios of industry, but there is not only one digital twin. Possible areas of application range from the geometric validation of a product (DMU) to the simulation of operating processes or virtual commissioning.
Basically, we distinguish between two digital twins:
The general term "Digital Twin" in many PLM systems refers to the process twin (e.g. "as designed", "as planned"). It is used for the traceability of technical decisions in the development process, e.g. through visualization, simulation and virtual validation. Furthermore, the process twin supports the planning processes. This is done through the targeted use of development artifacts in the ERP system. The digital process twin requires a continuous data model with all relevant data and process information.
The product twin is the digital representation of a real product ("as build"). Compared to the process twin, it enables the use of operational data for the evaluation of functions (also for corner cases) and supports the after-sales processes with services such as over-the-air updates or function-on-demand. Furthermore, the product twins allow direct customer feedback as well as machine learning as input for new developments.
A product twin can only be created through the targeted evaluation of product data along the PLM-ERP-MES process chain. Optimal use of product data considers the system transitions from development to production as well as feedback loops.
As the only SAP and PLM consulting company with its own MES solution we support you in the end-to-end design of your product and business processes for optimal use of the digital twins.
Product data network across systems and brands
In a PLM project at our customer Volkswagen, product data was networked across systems and brands. Read the case study to learn how you can get project status at the touch of a button.
The PLMeter from abat was developed on the basis of years of PLM project experience and makes the need for action visible within a very short time.
The aim of the association is to define standards and interfaces, especially for the digitization of the entire product creation process.
