WHAT IS A DIGITAL TWIN? – DEFINITIONS AND INSIGHTS FROM AN INDUSTRIAL CASE STUDY IN TECHNICAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Trauer, J.; Schweigert-Recksiek, S.; Engel, C.; Spreitzer, K.; Zimmermann, M.
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Design Society: DESIGN Conference. Volume 1(2020)
• Page Start: 757
• Page End: 766
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: digital twin -- product development -- virtual engineering (VE) -- product lifecycle management (PLM) -- industry 4.0; Engineering design -- Congresses; Industrial design -- Congresses; 620.0042
• DOI: 10.1017/dsd.2020.15
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2633-7762

Abstract

Abstract: Over the last two decades, a concept called Digital Twin has evolved rapidly. Yet, there is no unified definition of the term. Based on a literature study and an industrial case study, an overarching definition of Digital twins is presented. Three characteristics were identified – representation of a physical system, bidirectional data exchange, and the connection along the entire lifecycle. Further, three sub-concepts are presented, namely: Engineering Twin, Production Twin, and Operation Twin. The presented paper thus formulates a consistent and detailed definition of Digital Twins.