The use of a digital twin in design involves using digital models and simulations to develop detailed technical specifications for real objects, processes, or systems. This makes it possible to accurately represent the physical characteristics of the designed components, analyse their interactions, and optimise their design before they are put into production. Digital twins are used to create material specifications, dimensions, operation diagrams, and communication interfaces
Using Digital Twin in Design and Specification Creation
Type of technology
Description of the technology
Basic elements
- CAD models: Digital representations of designed objects.
- Simulation systems: Tools for dynamic simulation of designed components.
- Material libraries: Data on physical and chemical properties of materials.
- Interaction analysis: Tools for simulating and analysing the interaction of various components.
- Technical documentation: Detailed specifications and design diagrams.
Industry usage
- Automotive industry: Design of new vehicles and components.
- Aviation: Creation of detailed specifications for new aircraft models.
- Construction: Design of complex technical installations in buildings.
- Machine manufacturing: Simulation of machine operation for design optimisation.
- Pharmaceutical industry: Modelling drug manufacturing processes.
Importance for the economy
The use of digital twins in design enables the rapid and precise creation of technical specifications, which speeds up the product development process and reduces the risk of design errors. Companies can innovate faster, with less risk, and optimise production processes, resulting in better competitiveness in the market.
Related technologies
Mechanism of action
- In the design process, the digital twin is used to create a virtual model of the designed object. The model is then subjected to simulations under various operating conditions to detect potential problems, optimise the design, and prepare detailed technical documentation. Using a digital twin in design enables faster changes, testing new solutions, and minimising the risk of design errors.
Advantages
- Reducing design time: Faster creation and optimisation of projects.
- Accuracy: Precise reproduction of actual features and parameters.
- Reducing errors: Detecting problems early in the design process.
- Increasing flexibility: Making design changes faster.
- Better cooperation: Real-time model sharing between teams.
Disadvantages
- High implementation costs: Significant investment in software and infrastructure.
- Compatibility issues: Difficulties in integrating different tools and systems.
- Risk of data breaches: Threats of intellectual property theft.
- Lack of standardisation: Problems with creating uniform specifications.
- Lack of competence: Shortage of specialists capable of implementing technology.
Implementation of the technology
Required resources
- CAD software: Tools for creating digital models.
- Simulation systems: Dynamic analysis tools.
- Data sets: Data on materials and technical parameters.
- Computing servers: High-performance data processing units.
- Design specialists: Engineers and designers responsible for creating models.
Required competences
- Engineering design: Ability to create and optimise designs.
- Computer simulation: Use of simulation and analysis tools.
- Data management: Organisation and processing of technical data.
- Programming: Knowledge of languages used in simulation and analysis.
- Project management: Coordination of design teams.
Environmental aspects
- Energy consumption: High energy consumption of computing systems.
- Emissions of pollutants: Emissions from high energy consumption.
- Raw material consumption: High demand for electronic components.
- Recycling: Problems with recovering materials from computing devices.
- Waste generated: Electronic waste from decommissioned equipment.
Legal conditions
- Protection of intellectual property: Patents and design copyrights.
- Safety regulations: Safety standards for designed products.
- Data security: Design data protection regulations.
- Intellectual property: Patents for technologies and design methods.
- Industry standards: Standards for project quality.