An open source approach to the design and implementation of Digital Twins for Smart Manufacturing

Abstract

This paper discusses the design of a Digital Twin (DT) demonstrator for Smart Manufacturing, following an open source approach for implementation. Open source technology can comprise of software, hardware and hybrid solutions that nowadays drive Smart Manufacturing. The major potential of open source technology in Smart Manufacturing lies in enabling interoperability and in reducing the capital costs of designing and implementing new manufacturing solutions. After presenting our motivation to adopt an open source approach for the design of a DT demonstrator, we identify the major implementation requirements of Smart Cyber Physical Systems (CPSs) and DTs. A conceptualisation of the core components of a DT demonstrator is provided and three technology building blocks for the realisation of a DT have been identified. These technology building blocks include components for the management of data, models and services. From the conceptual model of the DT demonstrator, we derived a high-level micro-services architecture and provided a case study infrastructure for the implementation of the DT demonstrator based on available open source technologies. The paper closes with research questions to be addressed in the future.

Global Challenges of Digital Transformation of Markets: Collaboration and Digital Assets

“…Layer 2 of the digital twin of the product is the real physical product. A DO has consumer properties; as the components of the DO, they can also be represented as the information disseminated for advertising purposes [50,51]:…”

“…The following characteristics of a DO are related to post-sales services, for example, adding information. A DO has consumer properties; as the components of the DO, they can also be represented as the information disseminated for advertising purposes [50,51]:…”

RFID Application in a Multi-Agent Cyber Physical Manufacturing System

“…IoT infrastructures and CPS frameworks for the application of RFID sensors for security and traceability purposes have been studied previously in the context of smart cities [13,14], logistics [15], small manufacturing [16], production [17], smart manufacturing [5,18], automotive industry [19], and product-service systems [20]. Suhail et al [21] discussed the data provenance and security challenges associated with an RFID-based IoT.…”

The Modeling and Using Strategy for the Digital Twin in Process Planning

“…A technique for real-time monitoring and dynamic feedback of various states and parameters in machining process and a process model that can express data in the process of digital manufacturing of products are urgently needed to be developed. As the key technology of cyber physics system developing, digital twin technology can effectively integrate and manage multi-source heterogeneous data in product life cycle [8]. Theoretical research and wide application of digital twin have made it possible to deepen and develop MBD technology.…”