What is Digital Twin technology and why is it important for manufacturers?

01 February, 2023

What is Digital Twin & Virtual Twin technology?

Digital twin technology allows manufacturers to gain a digital representation of a real-world system – the digital twin mirrors the software or model to gain data and insight that can update.

Digital twin is actually an executable model of a physical system. The physical system can be a factory or a plant or a mine or resource any of them. Which brings in learning and experiences from the physical part, so that you can continuously update your distribution model. The next step up from digital twin is virtual twins, which provide a far more dynamic look factory systems. Virtual twins provide businesses with the ability to visualise models and simulate sophisticated experiences—whereas digital twin solutions are static. Virtual twin essentially shows manufacturers exactly what can be executed and implemented in the real world, it’s primary focus is to give actionable solutions to improve efficiencies.

In fact, Virtual Twin technology helps us visualise a model not only of the product, but manufacturing and operations as well. When thinking about the capabilities of digital twins, they operate in a closed loop of “ability to ability”, but virtual twin goes beyond that. It provides the opportunity where you can control the real world with the virtual world with this closed loop ability and we can bring innovation to expand on that. Virtual Twin solutions can be beneficial for almost any manufacturing organisation, both small and large. It also empowers workforce of the future, and considering current conditions, it’s like bringing in new resiliency while people are working in the new or next normal due to this pandemic.

Which industries can benefit from Digital & Virtual Twin?

Digital twins initially found their way into a select few industries where businesses could easily see value and return on investment. The automotive & industrial equipment sectors were the two main areas that invested in digital twin technology initially, along with oil and gas shortly after. These industries had a clear need for the insights provided by digital twins to streamline processes and provide extra efficiency.

In more recent times, manufacturing and life sciences are beginning to really catch up on the benefits that are brought about by digital twins as they’re really relying on the twins ability to provide sophisticated models that can be acted upon. In manufacturing and the operations industries, the overall goal for most businesses is to achieve greater profitability in a safe and sustainable way.