BimScaler Blog – Using digital twins for asset management is all about changing how we monitor, maintain and optimise everything from buildings and infrastructure to industrial equipment.
In today’s world, where infrastructure is spread across vast and diverse geographies, we need to think differently about maintenance and management.
For that reason, getting on board with digital twins in asset management is a great move.
Let’s look at how digital twins actually help with asset management.
Significance of Digital Twins in Engineering Asset Management
Marco Macchi, Irene Roda, Elisa Negri, and Luca Fumagalli highlight the transformative potential of digital twins in asset management in their paper, “Exploring the Role of Digital Twins for Asset Lifecycle Management.” These tools provide a digital replica of physical assets that can be used throughout their lifecycle.
This tech connects the physical and digital worlds, letting you monitor, simulate and optimize assets in real time.
Bringing IoT, AI and machine learning into digital twins helps us predict and avoid problems before they become big issues. This makes things more efficient and cuts costs.
When it comes to Australia’s infrastructure, digital twins are really useful.
Tristan O’Gorman wrote an article for IBM called “How digital twins optimise the performance of your assets in a sustainable way,” which shows how useful digital twins are in the Australian landscape.
For example, the Downer Group has used digital twins to manage its rail and transit systems more effectively.
By putting digital tools into their operations, Downer can keep an eye on real-time data and make sure maintenance schedules are as efficient as they can be.
This helps them to be more sustainable and to run their operations more effectively.
This is a great example of how digital twins can help manage huge and complex infrastructures by providing useful insights and predictive maintenance capabilities.
As a bit of background, you might find these reviews useful; “Double Trouble or Double the Fun? The Digital Twin Dilemma Catch.”
How to Implement Digital Twins for Asset Management
The first thing to do is get all the data together in one place. Absolutely. Make sure your foundation is rock solid.
If you don’t get the basics right first – like data integration – then it won’t work out, like unrequited love.
This first step is all about bringing together data from different sources, like IoT sensors, GIS, and existing asset management systems.
Marco Macchi and his colleagues say this integrated data is the foundation of the digital twin. It allows for detailed monitoring and real-time updates of the asset.
Next, we create an accurate digital model. This means building really detailed 3D models and simulations that show how the asset works in the real world.
Updates with real-time data keep the model up to date and useful, so you can manage it better and plan ahead.
This approach is really important in Australia, where there’s a lot of infrastructure that needs to be monitored and maintained all the time.
Then, we apply advanced analytics, powered by AI and machine learning, to the collected data.
These technologies let us predict when something might go wrong by looking at what’s happened before.
Tristan O’Gorman talks about IBM’s work with Sund & Bælt, where digital twins changed how they maintain infrastructure. They moved from a time-based approach to a predictive one, which means they can spot and fix problems before they become critical.
The Downer Group’s use of digital twins for its rail and transit systems shows how this process works.
By using IBM’s TrainDNA platform, Downer collects all kinds of complex data and near real-time data, which helps them do predictive maintenance for over 200 trains.
This proactive approach not only makes things safer and more efficient, but it also helps the environment by reducing energy use across the rail fleet.
Use Case
One great example of digital twins in asset management is the Australian rail industry. The Downer Group and IBM joined forces to create the TrainDNA platform, a cutting-edge data analytics tool designed to support predictive maintenance across over 200 trains in Australia.
TrainDNA uses complex analytics and near real-time data to monitor and manage rail assets, which makes it much more efficient and sustainable.
The TrainDNA platform can identify patterns and predict potential failures by integrating data from IoT sensors placed on trains and tracks.
This proactive approach lets Downer schedule maintenance before things get critical, which means they can keep their rail assets in good shape and keep everyone safe.
The platform also helps Downer understand which rail systems use the most energy and how they respond to different conditions, which helps them run more sustainably.
Queensland Rail has also started using digital twin technology to keep an eye on the condition of the tracks and the trains.
Queensland Rail can spot any issues early by using real-time data from IoT sensors. This means they can get maintenance done quickly and avoid any downtime.
This predictive maintenance capability not only makes things safer, but it also ensures that the rail assets stay in the best condition for longer.
As a point of reference, you might want to check “The Newbie Guide to Digital Twin in Manufacturing Industry Growth.”
How to Find a Partner in Your Digital Twin Management
When it comes to digital twins in asset management, there are a few hurdles to overcome. One challenge is integrating data, keeping things accurate, and having the right skills in-house.
BIM Scaler can help you out with customized solutions that make it easier to manage digital twins and BIM, so you can get over these hurdles.
What can we do to help you out?
We’ll take care of all the technical stuff, so you can focus on your core business.
We can also help you bring together data from different sources so we can create a complete and accurate digital copy of your physical assets.
We’ll help you get the most out of your digital twin so you can make informed decisions that drive operational efficiency.
If you’d like to know more about how BIM Scaler can help you with your construction projects, just head over to our CAD & BIM Management page and take a look.
Or just drop us a line today to arrange a lunch meeting. Absolutely! We’d be delighted to demonstrate what we can do for you.
In Closing
Digital twins use live data, smart analysis and simulations to help us make better decisions and improve efficiency.
These virtual copies of real assets are already making a difference in fields like transportation and infrastructure. They’re showing us how they can lead to lower costs and greener operations.
This is particularly important in Australia, where effective asset management is key to long-term success.
That’s why the team at BIM Scaler is on hand 24/7 to support you every step of the way with digital twins for asset management.
