Digital solutions are growing in capacity and they will continue to attract industry players with their wide variety of business applications.
Digital twin technology is a specific strategy that slowly marks out its importance as a solid business partner. Basically, a digital twin is a technology that generates the virtual representation of real-world objects, such as physical items, systems, or structures, typically in 3D, based on sensor-collected data.
Furthermore, it can use advanced analytics and intelligent machine technologies to provide real-time insight into real-world entities. Most successful digital twin technologies use AI systems to make predictions of situations where data is abundant and where the processes being evaluated are fairly simple. You can find out more about digital twins and their benefits for the manufacturing industry from our article: How Digital Twin Technology is Transforming the Manufacturing Industry.
In the manufacturing industry, getting digital copies of either the products, processes, or facilities can overcome various issues such as quality control along with product development and planning for manufacturers.
Digital twin technology can provide new business opportunities
Besides, the use of digital twin technology can generate new business opportunities and promote collaborative strategies within the supply chain, therefore undermining its validity.
Digital twins are expected to prosper particularly in the manufacturing sector thanks to the IoT development, which has now climbed up the maturity curve.
A variety of use cases demonstrate the importance of digital twins. The technologies were leveraged by manufacturers to improve product redesign, product growth, system planning, and quality control.
Digital twin technology can improve production processes
For instance, a product redesign is a common approach in manufacturing. That’s when product transformations are made, but this procedure may often interrupt ongoing production lines. In this case, digital twin offers manufacturers the option to evaluate the viability of redesigning the products without stopping ongoing operations. The twin’s data can also provide manufacturers the capacity to change existing processes to fit the customization, saving time and money at the same time.
Product development is one of the most popular use cases of the digital twin. In the manufacturing industry, the development of high quality is the main goal. Digital twins enable manufacturers to use multiple data from areas such as production line and customer experience management systems, to gain a deeper perspective into the types of products with high potential for growth and market demand. This way, no tangible resources are wasted and the produced goods will meet customers’ demand.
Manufacturers also leverage the digital twin to create copies of the technologies they intend to build in their factories. This strategy is crucial in system planning, as it helps manufacturers to measure the current system’s effectiveness against previously used systems. This way, they can determine whether the new systems can be of greater value. If not, they can adjust the virtual copy and customize it, to see if a particular version of the system will help them achieve the desired effect.
Because digital twins provide real-time information on the efficiency and quality of the products, any problems or weaknesses may be identified in advance or immediately, enabling manufacturers to act accordingly. As a result, quality can be easier assured and maintenance can be handled efficiently. Besides, plants can prevent downtime and maximize performance.
Product evaluation can also be conducted in various circumstances to determine their efficiency, reliability, and quality. These data can be used to gain customer loyalty and to increase the value of the products in the market.
The future of digital twin technology
Shortly, using digital twin technologies would not only dramatically improve manufacturing processes but also reduce operational and production costs. Moreover, according to various studies, the use of digital twins will triple by 2022 which emphasizes the technology’s tremendous potential and value. If manufacturers have no intention to use digital twin technology, it would be a great time to start now.