Digital Twin Technology – Everything You Need To Know

Digital Twin is a relatively new but highly prominent and valuable technology. It is the concept where a physical object is replicated into a virtual copy and this copy is used to carry out various tests. These tests help in determining the output of the interaction of various physical objects with each other. 

To understand what they are and what the technology entails, Master Infotech, a web design company, hereby presents a guided piece covering everything there is to know about them.

Table of Content:

1. What is a Digital Twin
2. Understanding Digital Twin from a Layman POV
3. The Characteristics of Digital Twin Technology
   1. Connectivity 
   2. Homogenization
   3. Reprogrammable 
   4. Leaves Digital Traces
   5. Modularity
4. Types of Digital Twins
5. Conclusion

What Is A Digital Twin?

A digital twin is practically a digital counterpart of anything in real life. And ever since 1991, digital twins have not only been conceptualized but also been put into the process. John Vickers quoted the term ‘Digital Twin’ in a report published by him in 2010. It is a complex with three distinct aspects to it:

a. A physical object

b. It’s a virtual copy

c. Communication between (a) and (b)

It is used to emulate the existing system by analyzing data through sensors and then using that data to analyze the current system’s functioning. It is a simulation of anything in real life used to mirror and predict the activities of the actual physical twin. 

In the Internet of Things, commonly known as IoT, a digital twin is taking up more and more space. 

Understanding Digital Twin From A Layman POV

Have you ever seen those ‘What-if” scenarios in movies where scientists get together and imagine the functioning of something? Those are digital twins—precisely those. 

For example, suppose an automobile company wishes to understand the functioning of a new engine they develop in a car that they manufacture and want to test the effects of the new powerful engine on the existing body. In that case, they will use sensors to determine the engine’s power and the capacity of the car’s body. Then, using data from both, they will test the compatibility of the new engine with the car. 

In this way, digital twins help create models that can give real-life results without testing the actual products by themselves. This saves a lot of resources and prevents any possible mishaps or unfavorable scenarios left unseen by human eyes. 

The Characteristics Of Digital Twin Technology

Digital twins come with specific characteristics. These are unique traits that the digital twin technology utilizes. Each attribute is indispensable and cannot be done away with. The following are some of the technological characteristics of digital twin technology:

Connectivity 

Connectivity is the essential characteristic of digital twin tech. Data gathering is only possible with the right sensors connected to the right parts of any physical product. 

Connectivity between the physical component and digital counterpart is so vital that digital twin tech would not exist without it. 

Homogenization 

Homogenization of data is the process where data is grouped and stored as information and can easily be shared with a lot of people. In simple terms, digital twin technology involves collecting and categorizing data, which will also make digital twin tech easier to engage with. 

Considering that the data is stored and readily available, it becomes cost-effective to test virtual representations compared to physically carrying out each test. 

Reprogrammable 

Considering that sensors can collect data directly from the physical product and they can store it accordingly, it is possible to reprogram that data, making it possible to carry out various permutations and combinations of tests. 

Therefore, if we retake the example of an engine, digital twin tech can determine not only the machine’s functioning but also the same engine’s functioning using different set parameters. 

Leaves Digital Traces 

How would you feel if a machine you’re working with suddenly stopped? Your first reaction would be to want to know why the machine stopped working and what caused it to. 

Digital twin technology leaves digital traces because of the data gathered by the sensors. These digital traces can then be used to determine anything in an experiment or a test. If something goes wrong, the technology is capable of telling what malfunctioned. 

Therefore, digital twin technology is highly beneficial for tracing problems or gathering information.

Modularity 

One of the best things about digital twin technology is its experimentation. Digital twin technology is so flexible that it can be used to recreate different models and in different combinations to come up with various outputs. 

For example, a car’s digital twin can be separated into different parts, where a specific set of those parts can be combined differently to form a new combination. Just like modular kitchens, where the shelves can be rearranged to fit the needs of the user, digital twin technology also involves the rearrangement of different sensors and virtual objects to come up with new plans, carry out further tests, and create new models and designs to suit the various needs of research and development.

Types of Digital Twins

Digital twins are also of various types. The differentiation is based on the composition of the twins. Primarily, four main types of digital twins exist:

1. Component Twins – The smallest functioning unit. They are the twin of any particular functioning component. Part twins are a sub-type of component twins based on singular parts of less importance.
2. Process twins – Process twins are when various system twins are put together to create a production facility. This includes peak-level optimization, where the different systems are analyzed with respect to each other, and then their performance is studied overall.
3. Asset Twins – The combination of two or more component twins is collectively referred to as asset twins. They let one study the interaction of the component twins with each other.
4. System Twins – As soon as the asset twins are put together, they become system twins wherein the functioning of different assets is gauged. They provide insight into the interaction assets and also promote performance enhancement.

Conclusion

Digital twins are a mere advancement in technology and help in several specific projects that need significant levels of research and development. For example, physically large projects such as buildings, bridges, and other engineering projects, mechanically complicated processes, and other manufacturing projects. They are used in aircraft design and production, automobile manufacturing, systems engineering, railcar design, building construction, and others.

Therefore, this rapidly expanding technology is highly beneficial in terms of the IT advancements it offers and further advances in other fields.

About Us

This information is presented by Master Infotech, a web designing and development company consisting of brilliant individuals with a knack for perfecting the digital space of their partner brands. This we do by engaging in UI/UX designs, digital marketing services, and other ancillary practices.

If you are a brand looking to establish an online presence, reach out to us. As your brand development partner, we shall engage in minimal resource consumption and still come up with the best outputs possible. Take our word for it! We don’t exaggerate when we call ourselves the best web development company.