Digital Twin of Experimental Smart Manufacturing Assembly System for Industry 4.0 Concept

Abstract

This article deals with the creation of a digital twin for an experimental assembly system based on a belt conveyor system and an automatized line for quality production check. The point of interest is a Bowden holder assembly from a 3D printer, which consists of a stepper motor, plastic components, and some fastener parts. The assembly was positioned in a fixture with ultra high frequency (UHF) tags and internet of things (IoT) devices for identification of status and position. The main task was parts identification and inspection, with the synchronization of all data to a digital twin model. The inspection system consisted of an industrial vision system for dimension, part presence, and errors check before and after assembly operation. A digital twin is realized as a 3D model, created in CAD design software (CDS) and imported to a Tecnomatix platform to simulate all processes. Data from the assembly system were collected by a programmable logic controller (PLC) system and were synchronized by an open platform communications (OPC) server to a digital twin model and a cloud platform (CP). Digital twins can visualize the real status of a manufacturing system as 3D simulation with real time actualization. Cloud platforms are used for data mining and knowledge representation in timeline graphs, with some alarms and automatized protocol generation. Virtual digital twins can be used for online optimization of an assembly process without the necessity to stop that is involved in a production line.

Evaluation of Waste Electronic Product Trade-in Strategies in Predictive Twin Disassembly Systems in the Era of Blockchain

“…Capturing data from the networked RFID tags via a cloud, digital twins form the abstract models of products or processes such as point-to-point supply chains or individual activities such as manufacturing, inventory, or transportation and logistics [81,[85][86][87][88]. These virtual instances are the descriptions of the objects or systems and can be constructed via 3D models [89,90]. These models grasp sensor data continuously and simulate real-life instances [17,24,88].…”

“…These models grasp sensor data continuously and simulate real-life instances [17,24,88]. Connecting more objects through a scattered IoT network, digital twins become available to input a high volume of data, which significantly helps twins perform more efficiently and reduce the complexity in business operations [90].…”

“…Several studies focused on digital twins under the umbrella of Industry 4.0 [90,[104][105][106], specifically as part of the Cyber-Physical System paradigm [92,93,[107][108][109]. Uhlemann et al [110] defined the digital twin as a key technology of Industry 4.0 and evaluated a real-life data acquisition model for production processes through the digital twin concept.…”

Industry 4.0‐Driven Development of Optimization Algorithms: A Systematic Overview

“…ere has never been a full digital twin application in the field of pharmaceutical manufacturing [134]. Furthermore, this technology has never been implemented in cloud platforms; however, there is a need to build connections between these Industry 4.0 solutions [135]. e support of optimal product design using digital twin solutions is also a serious challenge for future research [136].…”

Design of an Atypical Construction of Equipment for Additive Manufacturing with a Conceptual Solution of a Printhead Intended for the Use of Recycled Plastic Materials

“…In connection with FDM technology application to robotic arms or other atypical structures, whose structures are inspired by these arms, a simple question arises: whether, in the current state, accuracy, method of production and implementation of new materials, it is necessary or not to approach the production of models differently. Due to current trends and developments in this technology, improvement of operating parameters of production and its application to sophisticated equipment types, innovation is necessary for the production process itself [6,7].…”