More and more enterprises are showing interest in the topic of digitalization of production. The organizers of the regional scientific and technical conference “Digitalization of production processes” were able to verify this. Application of industrial software for building digital enterprises,” which took place recently in Samara.

It was initiated by the SMS-Automation group of companies, known as a universal integrator specializing in the creation and support of industrial automation systems, together with the Digital Manufacturing department of Siemens, one of the world's largest concerns in the field of automation and electrical products, with which Samara developers have had more than two decades of fruitful cooperation.

The forum of manufacturers and information system developers was also supported by the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Samara Region. Its specialists have repeatedly noted the successes of the group of companies in the field of industrial automation and the construction of large information systems.

Representatives of industrial enterprises in the Samara region were introduced to the conceptual framework and specific tools for building effective digital production. Industrial automation is only part of digitalization, or digitalization, as it is also called. Digitalization is the automation of processes throughout the entire life cycle of a product, equipment, or enterprise. The project, its functioning, and modernization fit into it.

The report of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SMS-Automation Group of Companies, Andrey Sidorov, “Industrial Software as a Digitalization Tool,” aroused great interest among the conference participants. “We are on the threshold of the intellectualization of control systems,” noted Andrey Sidorov (in the bottom photo). - Now equipment manufacturers in the West are changing their production model. Equipment begins to have a digital twin. Changing business models will mean that a digital twin will be a significant factor when choosing a supplier.”

Digitalization also means testing situations on virtual digital models, which allows you to save enormous amounts of money. Siemens is already at its digitalization site, without waiting for the arrival of a machine for the production of parts, having received it virtual image, connects virtual robots to it and begins debugging technological processes without wasting time.

The topics raised by experts related to the use of specific digital production tools were received with interest by conference participants and raised many questions and discussions. In addition to the reports, the attention of the conference guests was attracted by demo stands with practical examples of the implementation of the principles of digitalization in the realities of process control systems of industrial enterprises in Russia. Special attention at the conference was paid to the issues information security modern automation systems. Getting to know current trends development of enterprises within the framework of the Industry 4.0 concept, according to experts, may become additional tool in the process of increasing competitiveness in the era of Industry 4.0.

There is a better way. Identification of ways to improve the efficiency of engineering and technological design processes

Aaron Frenkel, Jan Larssen

Manufacturing a product is undoubtedly the most important part of all life cycle processes. At this stage, ideas turn into reality. Moreover, without coordinated design and manufacturing processes to ensure successful assembly of the product on the shop floor, ideas will remain just beautiful drawings or will not be fully implemented. For many years, the methods of designing and developing technological processes remained unchanged, maintaining all the traditional shortcomings that lead to increased costs and deadlines. Considering that today innovation has become vital for the survival of machine-building enterprises, Siemens PLM Software analyzed pre-production processes in order to identify ways to further optimize them. In this article, Aaron Frankel, Senior Director of Marketing for Mechanical Engineering Solutions, and Jan Larsson, Senior Director of Marketing for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Siemens PLM Software, discuss what sources of inefficiency need to be eliminate to introduce the concept of a “digital twin of a product” and how this will affect the way products are manufactured.

A beautiful symphony

If you find yourself in a modern enterprise, you will see an amazing symphony of labor of people, robots and machines, the movement of materials and parts - and all this is done with precision to the second in order to stay on schedule. The picture turns out simply fantastic.

But behind the scenes we will see outdated processes of design and technological preparation of production. We are not going to criticize anyone. Developing a product design is no small achievement in itself. Designing can be a very challenging task. In some cases, a product consists of millions of parts, and thousands of employees and partners work on its creation, often around the world. Moreover, in critical industries such as electronics (faster processors, miniaturization), automotive (sustainability and emissions reduction) and aerospace (sustainability and introduction of composite materials), there is a constant desire to optimize and accelerate the creation of new technologies. products. Taking into account the high complexity of the problems being solved, the reluctance to deviate from practice-tested pre-production processes is quite understandable. However, our customers report common problems in product design and manufacturing, which in some cases lead to costly delays.

Common problems

One of the biggest challenges we see is that designers and technologists use different systems. In practice, this leads to the fact that designers transfer their developments to technologists who try to create technological processes in computer systems, to which they are accustomed. In this scenario - and it occurs very often - information desynchronizes, which makes it difficult to control the situation. In addition, the likelihood of errors increases.

Problems regularly arise during the development of workshop layouts. The reason for this is that floor plans are usually created in the form of two-dimensional floor plans and paper drawings. This is a long and labor-intensive process. 2D drawings are an important part of the process, but they don't have the flexibility you need. It often happens that the rearrangement of equipment in a workshop is not recorded on the drawing. The problem is especially acute when operating in rapidly changing markets (such as consumer electronics), which require continuous expansion and modernization of production systems. Why? Because two-dimensional layouts lack intelligence and associativity. They prevent technologists from knowing what exactly is happening on the shop floor and making smart decisions quickly.

After creating the layout, a technological route is developed. As a rule, it then goes through a control stage. Here lies another significant obstacle to increased efficiency. Technologists usually have to wait until the equipment is installed to evaluate the performance of the equipment. Moreover, if the characteristics turn out to be lower than expected, then it may be too late to develop an alternative technology. Our experience is that this situation results in significant delays.

Finally, customers report two additional problems occurring late in the pre-production cycle. This is an assessment of the performance of individual operations and everything technological process generally.

Due to the high complexity of modern manufacturing and the frequent lack of coordination between different process design systems, identifying which specific operations or production areas are causing delays across a line can be challenging. And when it comes to the actual manufacturing of the product, customers report that it is usually extremely difficult to evaluate the performance and degree to which actual processes correspond to planned processes. Once again, the problem lies in the high complexity, as well as the lack of feedback between production, designers and technologists.

Digital twin

Digital twin is a virtual copy of a real object that behaves in the same way as the real object. Without going into the technical details of our products here, suffice it to say that our controls life cycle products (PLM) provide the creation of a complete digital platform. It supports the use of digital twins that accurately model end-to-end product design and manufacturing processes.

What does all this mean in practice? Let's take a look at the above steps again and show the main capabilities provided by the new approach.

Construction

NX (and other CAD systems) creates a model of the product and transfers it to Teamcenter in 3D JT format. In a matter of seconds, the application creates thousands of different virtual versions of the product that exactly match the real product. At the same time, to identify potential problems, big data processing technologies, design and technological information (PMI) contained in models (tolerances, fits, connections between parts and assemblies), as well as a basic description of the technological process are used. This approach has already been tested in practice when creating electronic products manufactured by our company. For example, we were able to immediately determine that the screw holes on the video output connector did not line up exactly with the screw holes on the PCB. If the error had gone undetected, it would have resulted in warranty claims from customers: the connector could have become separated from the printed circuit board. Identifying design errors at an early stage saves significant time and money, both during technology development and during production.

Process design

The digital twin allows you to improve the collaboration of designers and technologists, optimize the choice of location and manufacturing technology, as well as the allocation of the necessary resources. Let's look at an example of making changes to the build process. Using our software, process engineers, based on the new design specification, add new operations to the working 3D model of the technological process. You can simulate any production system while being anywhere in the world: say, technologists in Paris are preparing production at a factory in Rio. Having time information for each added operation, technologists check whether the new process route meets the specified performance indicators. If this is not the case, then the technological operations are replaced or rearranged. Numerical simulations are then performed again until the selected process route satisfies the requirements. The new workflow is immediately available to all developers for approval. If any problems are identified, designers and technologists work together to eliminate them.

Workshop layouts

When working on layouts, we recommend creating a digital twin containing mechanical equipment, automation systems and resources, clearly connected with the entire “ecosystem” of design and technological pre-production. Using a set of PLM tools, process steps can be swapped using drag and drop. It is just as easy to place equipment and personnel on a production line and simulate its operation. It is very simple, but at the same time exceptional effective method creating and editing technological processes. When design changes are made that require the use of a new industrial robot, numerical simulation specialists check, for example, whether it is possible to install a robot of this size without hitting the conveyor. The workshop layout developer makes the necessary amendments and prepares a notice of changes, on the basis of which the purchasing department purchases new equipment. This analysis of the consequences of changes makes it possible to avoid errors and, if necessary, immediately notify suppliers.

Control of technological design solutions

During the inspection phase, the digital twin is used to virtually verify the assembly process. Virtual simulation and quantitative analysis can evaluate all the factors associated with manual labor in assembly and identify problems such as awkward worker posture. This makes it possible to avoid fatigue and work-related injuries. Based on the simulation results, training videos and instructions are created.

Performance optimization

The digital twin is used for statistical modeling and evaluation of the designed technological system. It makes it easy to determine whether manual labor, robots, or a combination of robots and workers should be used. Numerical simulations of all processes can be carried out, right down to the energy consumption of an individual machine, in order to optimize the technology as much as possible. The analysis shows how many parts are produced in each operation. This ensures that the performance of the actual production line will match the target.

and real worlds. This allows you to compare the design project with the actually manufactured one.
product. The figure shows how big data technologies are applied
to collect current information on product quality, which is transmitted for analysis
into a digital twin stored in Teamcenter

Manufacturing of the product

The digital twin provides feedback between the real and virtual world, which allows optimization of product manufacturing processes. Technological instructions are transmitted directly to the workshop, where equipment operators receive them along with videos. Operators provide designers with production data (such as whether there is a gap between two screws holding a panel in place), while others automated systems collect performance information. Then a comparison is made between the design design and the actual manufactured product, and deviations are identified and eliminated.

New approaches to work

The use of a digital twin, which is an exact copy of a real product, helps to quickly identify potential problems, speeds up production preparation and reduces costs. In addition, the presence of a digital twin guarantees the possibility of manufacturing a product designed by the designers; all technological processes are maintained in an up-to-date and synchronized state; the developed technologies turn out to be operational, and production functions exactly as planned. The digital twin allows you to test how new technologies can be integrated into existing production lines. This eliminates the risks arising during the purchase and installation of equipment.

Mechanical engineering is one of the most advanced branches of global industry, where proven, but outdated approaches to technological preparation of production have long been used. It's time to bring a spirit of innovation that opens the door to success in product development and manufacturing. It's time to try something new!

We thank the editors of the corporate magazine "Siberian Oil" of Gazprom Neft PJSC for providing this material.

What is a Digital Twin?

A digital twin is a new word in modeling and production planning - a single model that reliably describes all processes and relationships both at a separate facility and within an entire production asset in the form virtual installations and simulation models. Thus, it is created virtual copy physical world.

The use of a digital twin, which is an exact copy of a real asset, helps to quickly simulate the development of events depending on certain conditions and factors, find the most effective operating modes, identify potential risks, integrate new technologies into existing production lines, and reduce the time and cost of project implementation. Additionally, the digital twin helps identify security steps.

Modern technologies make it possible to build digital twins of absolutely any production asset, be it an oil refinery or a logistics company. In the future, these technologies will allow remote control of the entire production process in real time. Based on the digital twin, it is possible to combine all systems and models used for planning and managing production activities, which will increase the transparency of processes, the accuracy and speed of decision making.

A digital twin can also be considered as an electronic passport of a product, which records all data on raw materials, materials, operations performed, tests and laboratory tests. This means that all information, from drawings and production technology to maintenance and disposal rules, will be digitized and available for reading by devices and people. This principle allows us to monitor and guarantee the quality of products and ensure their effective service.

From drawings to 3D models

A little history. People have always needed drawings and diagrams, from the moment of the first inventions - the wheel and the lever, in order to transmit information to each other about the design of these devices and the rules for their use. At first these were primitive drawings containing only the simplest information. However, the designs became more complex, and the images and instructions became more detailed. Since then, technologies for visualizing, documenting and storing knowledge about structures and mechanisms have come a long way. Nevertheless, for a long time, paper remained the main medium for recording engineering ideas, and a plane remained the working space.

In the second half of the twentieth century, it became clear that the usual army of draftsmen armed with drawing boards was no longer able to keep up with the rapid growth of industrial production and the complexity of engineering developments. Accelerating the processing of voluminous and complex information (for example, a technological installation for atmospheric distillation of oil contains more than 30 thousand pieces of equipment) required a change in the work technology of designers, designers, builders, technologists, operation and maintenance specialists. The evolution of technical design tools took another turn, and in the early 90s of the last century, computer-aided design systems (CAD) came to the oil industry. At first they used 2D drawings, and then, by the late 2000s, they came to 3D.

Modern design systems allow engineers to carry out the layout and design of industrial facilities in volumetric form, taking into account all the restrictions and requirements of the production process, as well as industrial safety requirements

Modern design systems allow engineers to layout and design industrial facilities in volumetric form, taking into account all the constraints and requirements of the production process, as well as industrial safety requirements. With their help, you can create a design model of a particular installation and correctly place technological and technical components on it without contradictions and collisions. Experience shows that through the use similar systems it is possible to reduce the number of errors and inconsistencies during design and operation by 2-3 times various installations. This figure is impressive when you consider that for large-scale industrial equipment, the number of errors that must be corrected during the design review process is in the thousands.

From the point of view of designers and builders, the use of 3D models makes it possible to radically improve the quality of design documentation and reduce design time. The constructed information model of the object turns out to be useful at the operational stage. This new level ownership of an industrial facility where personnel can obtain any information required to make a decision or complete a task in the shortest possible time, based on the existing model. Moreover: when, after some time, equipment modernization is required, future designers will have access to all relevant information, with a history of repairs and maintenance.

Omsk pilot

Sergey Ovchinnikov, head of the management systems department at Gazprom Neft:

The development and implementation of an engineering data management system is, without a doubt, an important part of the innovative development of the logistics, processing and sales unit. The functionality inherent in SUPRID and the potential of the system will allow the unit in particular and the company as a whole to become leaders in the digital management of engineering data in oil refining. Moreover, this software product is an important component of the entire line of related IT systems, which represent the foundation of the BLPS Performance Management Center that is currently being created.

In 2014, Gazprom Neft launched a project to create an engineering data management system for oil refining facilities - SUPRID. The project is based on the use of 3D modeling technologies for the design, construction and maintenance of industrial facilities. Thanks to their use, the time required for the creation and reconstruction of oil refining plants is reduced, the efficiency and safety of their operation is increased, and the downtime of the plant's process equipment is reduced. Implementation modern system Engineering data management on the latest Smart Plant for Owners/Operators (SPO) platform is carried out by specialists from the control systems department of the logistics, processing and sales unit, as well as the subsidiary company ITSK and Avtomatika Service.

At the end of last year, a pilot project was successfully completed to deploy platform functionality and set up business processes for the newly reconstructed primary oil refining unit at the Omsk Refinery - AT-9. The system implements functionality for storing, managing and updating information about the installation throughout its entire life cycle: from construction to operation. Along with the system, regulatory and methodological documentation, requirements for the designer and standards for engineering data management were developed. "SUPRID" is a good helper at work,” noted Sergei Shmidt, head of the AT-9 installation at the Omsk Refinery. — The system allows you to quickly access engineering information about any equipment, view its drawing, clarify technical parameters, localize the location and take measurements on a three-dimensional model that exactly reproduces the real installation. The use of SUPRID helps, among other things, to train new specialists and trainees.”

How it works?

The task of the SUPRID system is to cover all stages of the life cycle of a technological object. Start by collecting engineering information at the design phase and then update the information at subsequent stages - construction, operation, reconstruction, displaying the current state of the facility.

It all starts with information from the designer, which is sequentially transmitted and loaded into the system. The initial data consists of: design documentation, information about the functional, technological and construction and installation structure of the facility, intelligent technological diagrams. It is this information that becomes the basis information model, allowing you to instantly receive targeted information about construction projects and the technological diagram of the installation, making it possible in a few seconds to find the desired position of process equipment, instrumentation equipment on the technological diagram, and determine its participation in the technological process.

In turn, using a 3D design model of an object loaded into the system, you can visualize it, see the configuration of blocks, the spatial arrangement of equipment, surroundings with neighboring equipment, and measure the distances between various elements of the installation. The formation of the operational information model is completed with the binding executive documentation and 2D and 3D “as built” models, providing the opportunity to obtain detailed information about the properties and technical characteristics of any equipment or its elements at the operating stage. Thus, the system is a structured and interconnected set of all engineering data of an object and its equipment.

Roman Komarov, deputy head of the engineering systems department at ITSK, development manager at SUPRID:

After many years of evaluating the benefits of the project and preliminary development, the pilot system was implemented in a short time. The implementation of SUPRID allowed the company to obtain a tool for managing engineering data of oil refining facilities. The next global step, which we will gradually approach, is the formation of a digital information model of the oil refinery.

To date, more than 80,000 documents have already been uploaded to the SUPRID electronic archive. The system allows for a positional search for up-to-date information about any type of equipment, providing the user with comprehensive information on each position, including specifications, overall dimensions, material design, design and operating parameters, etc. “SUPRID” makes it possible to view any part of the installation in a three-dimensional model or on a technological diagram, open scanned copies of documents related to this position: working, executive or operational documentation (passports, acts, drawings, etc.).

This variability significantly reduces the time spent on accessing up-to-date information and its interpretation, and allows you to avoid mistakes during the reconstruction and technical re-equipment of a facility, and the replacement of obsolete equipment. "SUPRID" helps analyze the operation of the installation and its equipment when assessing the operating efficiency, facilitates the preparation of changes in technological regulations, the investigation of failures, malfunctions, accidents at the facility, the education and training of operating personnel.

"SUPRID" is integrated with other information systems BLPS and forms a unified information environment for engineering data, which, among other things, will become the basis for the innovative Unit Performance Management Center. Interrelation with programs such as KSU NSI ( corporate system management of regulatory and reference information), SAP TORO (maintenance and repair of equipment), MS PSD (design and estimate documentation management system) “TrackDoc”, Meridium APM, forms a unique integrated system for automating the processes of managing production assets of an oil refinery, allowing to increase the economic effect from their sharing for the company.

Project efficiency

In a relatively short period of time, Gazprom Neft IT specialists managed not only to master the intricacies of the SPO platform on which the engineering data management system is built, but also to create a completely new infrastructure for the company, develop a set of regulatory documents, and ultimately develop a qualitatively new approach to construction of oil refining facilities.

Even at an early stage of the project, it became obvious that the system would be in demand by the plant’s operational services and capital construction services. Suffice it to say that its use saves up to 30% of working time on searching and processing technical information for any object. When “SUPRID” is integrated with systems for regulatory and reference information, equipment maintenance and repair, design and estimate documentation and others, current engineering data becomes available for prompt and high-quality maintenance of process equipment. The capabilities of the system also make it possible to create a simulator for operation services, which will undoubtedly increase the level of training of their specialists. For refinery capital construction departments, the system will become a design tool at the stage of minor and medium repairs. This approach greatly simplifies monitoring the progress of reconstruction of industrial facilities and improves the quality of repairs.

It is expected that the investments made in the implementation of SUPRID will pay off in approximately 3-4 years. This will be possible due to a reduction in design time, an earlier transfer of installations from the commissioning stage to industrial operation and, as a result, an increase in the volume of finished products produced. Another significant advantage is the acceleration of the preparation and implementation of maintenance work and the reconstruction and modernization of installations by reducing the time required for refinery operating services to check new design documentation and timely detection of deficiencies and errors in the work of design and construction contractors.

The SUPRID implementation program is designed for the period until 2020. It will be used to “digitize” both existing installations and the construction of new facilities. Currently, specialists are preparing to replicate the system at the Moscow Refinery.

Text: Alexander Nikonorov, Alexey Shishmarev,Photo: Yuri Molodkovets, Nikolay Krivich

Perhaps, anyone who watched the Terminator films or The Matrix wondered when artificial intelligence will become a part of our daily lives, and whether people and robots will be able to coexist in peace and harmony. This future is much closer than you think. Today we will tell you about a technology called “digital twins,” which is already widely used in industry and, perhaps, will soon become part of our everyday life.

Who are digital twins?

It is a mistake to believe that the term “digital twins” refers to robots and artificial intelligence in the guise of some kind of humanoid creature. The term itself is currently applied mostly to industrial production. The concept of “digital twins” first appeared in 2003. The term came into use after the publication of an article by Michael Greaves, professor and assistant director of the Center for Lifecycle Management and Innovation at the Florida Institute of Technology, “Digital Twins: Manufacturing Excellence Based on a Virtual Prototype Factory.” The concept itself was invented by a NASA engineer who was a colleague of the professor.

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At its core, “digital twins” are a concept that combines artificial intelligence, computer learning and software with special data to create living digital models. These “digital twins” are constantly updated as the physical prototypes change.

Where do digital twins get their data for self-updating?

The digital copy, as befits artificial intelligence, constantly learns and improves itself. To this end, a digital twin uses knowledge from humans, other similar machines, and the larger systems and environment of which it is a part.

Michael Greaves proposed his three requirements that “digital twins” must meet. The first is compliance with the appearance of the original object. You need to understand that similar appearance– this is not only the whole picture, but also the correspondence of individual parts to the real “twin”. The second requirement is related to the behavior of the double during testing. The last and most difficult thing is the information that is received from artificial intelligence about the advantages and disadvantages of a real product.

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As Michael Greaves points out, when digital copies were introduced, even the criterion of superficial similarity was considered difficult to achieve. Today, as soon as a digital twin is identical in the first parameters, it can already be used to solve practical problems.

Why do we need digital twins?

Digital copies are created to optimize the performance of physical prototypes, entire systems and production processes.

According to Colin J. Parris, Ph.D., vice president of software research at GE Global Research Center, digital twins are a hybrid model (both physical and digital) that are created specifically for specific business purposes, e.g. predict failures, reduce maintenance costs, prevent unplanned outages.

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Colin J. Parris states that when we talk about “digital twins”, this system works in three stages: seeing, thinking and doing. The “seeing” stage is about obtaining data about the situation. There are two types of information: operational data (eg boiling point) and environmental data. The next step, which Colin J. Parris conventionally called “thinking,” is due to the fact that at this stage the “digital twin” can provide options for various requests on how best to act in a given situation or which options are preferable for business purposes. Artificial intelligence uses for analysis, for example, historical information, revenue and expense forecasts and provides several options that are based on risks and the confidence that these proposals can reduce them. The last step - “doing” - is directly related to the implementation of what needs to be done.

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With the help of “digital twins”, for example, can see from within the problem of a physical object.

In production, we no longer need to see, for example, the entire turbine in front of us in order to detect a hole. Digital twin technology will allow you to see the problem in real time using computer visualization.

According to Zvi Feuer, executive vice president of software development at Siemens, the digital twin is a PLM solution on the path to Industry 4.0.

What types of “digital twins” already exist?

As we said earlier, “digital twins” are actively used in industry: part twins (which are built for a specific production part), product twins (related to the release of a product, their main goal is to reduce the cost of maintenance), process twins ( their purpose may be, for example, to increase the service life), system twins (optimization of the entire system as a whole).

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According to the high-tech research and consulting agency Gartner, hundreds of millions of “digital twins” will soon replace human labor. Some companies already use this. It is not necessary to have an employee on staff who would diagnose production problems. In real time, with the help of “digital twins”, you can receive all the necessary data and be ready to repair equipment in advance.

What about the “digital twin” of the person himself?

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For those who want to have a Terminator friend who thinks like you, helps in everything, is a brother and a friend, we have good news. According to futurist and technologist John Smith, such a future is already near. He believes that in the near future there will be so-called software agents that will predict in advance the wishes and behavior of their real copy and will perform some actions for their human counterpart.

The “Digital Twin” will be able to make purchases, make business decisions, engage in social activities - in general, will be able to do everything that we sometimes do not have enough time for.

We will also be able to transfer all the routine work to our double. In addition, according to John Smith, our digital clones will know our interests, preferences, political views and, if necessary, will be able to defend them, since they will have a more complete historical context and see the modern picture of the world as a whole. And even a feeling of compassion. For example, a “digital twin” will show affection towards us, as it will be able to guess our emotional state.

This all sounds like a utopian movie script. I feel something is wrong. What are the disadvantages of “digital twins”?

The disadvantages of digital twins are obvious. First of all, the question of our safety arises. Digital clones will use all possible resources to supplement information about us. These are the algorithms that collect data from accounts social networks, and our personal correspondence, and any documents and files that, one way or another, concern us. Of course, this cannot but be alarming: as we have already found out, “digital twins” are capable of constantly updating and improving. Therefore, one of the primary tasks should be the creation of a legal framework for determining the “limits of permissibility” of artificial intelligence.

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However, do not panic about this. Take John Smith as an example: he remains optimistic and believes that “digital twins” will not replace humanity. They will simply become different versions of humans who can peacefully coexist with us.

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

June 23, 2017 Creation of a 3D Digital Twin included in the list standard functionality Winnum® - platforms for the industrial Internet of things. With Winnum®, creating 3D Digital Twins is now as easy as connecting sensors.

“Digital twin” is a computer representation of a specific physical product, group of products, mechanical or technological process, which completely repeats everything that its physical prototype does, starting from movements and kinematics, and ending with a representation of its physical environment and current operating conditions, including movement liquids and gases. A digital twin acts as an intermediary between a physical product and important information about it, such as operation or maintenance data. Now, with the help of Winnum, a full-fledged Feedback based on collecting data from the real world and transferring this data to the digital world.

What is 3D Digital twin?

A three-dimensional Digital Twin is a computer-generated 3D representation of a specific physical product, group of products, mechanical or technological process, which includes not only three-dimensional geometry, technical characteristics and current operating parameters, but also other important information- environment and operating conditions, technical condition and operating time, interaction with other objects, predictive analytics data, including forecasting failures and failures. A digital twin can be both simplified and very detailed and reflect a wide range of different characteristics both the product itself and the technological and production processes.

The presence of a three-dimensional Digital Twin helps to organize the connection of the product with the objects connected to it, software responsible for product management, monitoring the operating condition and operating process, etc. A 3D Digital Twin is especially valuable when it most accurately reflects the actual state and performance characteristics of its physical counterpart. No matter how accurate, detailed and well-developed the actions are at the stages of design, modeling and pre-production, in real life, as a rule, the processes proceed a little differently and it is the Digital Twin that can act as a bridge to the necessary information about the actual operation of products. This information can be used in different ways, for example, to assess bottlenecks, opportunities for improvement and change, confirm the feasibility of changes, etc. In addition, since the Digital Twin is a three-dimensional object, working with it is much clearer for a person than working with any tables or graphs. A 3D Digital Twin allows you to look inside a real physical object while it is running, without having to stop the equipment or open panels that block access to parts that require inspection.

Winnum's unique functionality allows our customers to create and manage 3D digital twins, connecting information that comes from physical objects and real-world processes with information that is created in various systems computer-aided design (CAD). Winnum supports loading 3D CAD models in neutral formats such as STL, VRML and OBJ, with direct loading available for Blender and Collada. The presence of ready-made 3D libraries of robots, equipment, sensors and other geometric objects further speeds up and simplifies the process of creating Digital Twins, even for those companies that cannot boast of having fully digitized products in 3D form.

3D scenes and smart Digital Twins (Smart Digital Twin)

Each Digital Twin corresponds to one specific instance of the product. That is, if a company uses 100 pieces of equipment or produces hundreds of thousands of products, then for each piece of equipment/product there is its own Digital Twin. Winnum's unique Big Data capabilities help you work with so many digital twins to solve everyday problems and provide high performance systems regardless of their number.

3D scenes are used to combine Digital Twins and gain insight into their overall performance and performance, common environmental variances, etc. Winnum's 3D scenes are not just 3D environments, as is common in CAD systems. 3D scenes in Winnum are the ability to create a full-fledged 3D world with a wide range of tools for working with light sources (including Raytracing, specular views, fog, intensity, transparency), textures (including dynamic textures with video stream), custom cameras and interaction mechanisms three-dimensional objects(selecting an object, clicking on an object, transferring a control action).

All actions of a 3D scene and all tools for working with a 3D Digital Twin are available exclusively in the Web browser.

About companySignum

Signum (SIGNUM) is a global provider of solutions for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The company's solutions help transform the processes of creating, operating and maintaining products using Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies. The next-generation Winnum™ platform gives companies the tools they need to collect, analyze and generate additional value from the large volumes of data generated by connected data. computer network controllers, sensors, products and systems.