Agile Machine Development from Virtual to Real

Abstract

Designing, building, and testing new adaptable automation equipment for the discrete manufacturing industry is becoming a still more complex discipline where static Technical Product Specifications are no longer the situation in a dynamic and changing environment. Therefore, computer simulation tools at different abstraction levels become very important in designing and building automation solutions. This paper investigates how to develop and test machines effectively, taking offset in a practical industry case. The paper proposes a methodology from the first simulation models to a digital twin environment. The result is a practical-based framework that helps machine builders and end-customers identify the appropriate simulation methods in advance, ensuring faster and simpler development of automation equipment that will lower the overall costs.