Framework for a Digital Twin in Manufacturing: Scope and Requirements.

Area of Science:

• Manufacturing Engineering
• Computer Science
• Industrial Informatics

Background:

• Smart manufacturing relies on advanced concepts like the digital twin.
• Small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face challenges understanding and implementing digital twin technology.
• Existing perspectives on digital twins lack synthesis, hindering practical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize diverse digital twin perspectives and identify essential characteristics for use-case development.
• To provide example applications of digital twins in manufacturing.
• To motivate the need for a standardized digital twin framework.

Main Methods:

• Literature synthesis of various digital twin viewpoints.
• Identification of key digital twin characteristics.
• Review of example applications.
• Discussion on standardization efforts.

Main Results:

• Key characteristics for developing use-case specific digital twins have been identified.
• Example applications illustrate digital twin implementation.
• The necessity of a standardized framework for digital twins is highlighted.

Conclusions:

• A standardized framework, such as ISO 23247, is crucial for enabling context-dependent digital twin implementations.
• Standardization promotes composability and reusability of digital twin components.
• Clearer understanding and standardized frameworks will accelerate digital twin adoption in smart manufacturing, especially for SMEs.