BimScaler Blog – In the AEC industry, digital twins are changing the way buildings, infrastructure and entire cities are designed, constructed and managed. But what is digital twins?
The great thing about this technology is that it lets you bridge the physical and digital worlds.
This means you can analyse data in real time and do predictive maintenance.
So, why don’t we go into more detail now?
Definition of Digital Twins
The Industrial Internet Consortium’s (IIC) white paper “Digital Twins for Industrial Applications” says a digital twin is made up of different types of data, including physics-based models, analytical models, time-series data and transactional data.
This digital twin lets businesses analyse and simulate in great detail, so they can boost performance, cut costs and innovate by making informed decisions based on accurate, real-time data.
The digital twin brings together all kinds of data from sensors and IoT devices attached to the physical object.
This data is then processed and presented in a way that makes it easy to understand and act on.
Take manufacturing, for instance. Digital twins can keep an eye on machinery in real time, predict when it needs maintenance, and simulate production processes.
This capability changes how businesses operate, letting them keep an eye on and make the most of their physical assets all the time.
What is the Idea of Digital Twins?
The idea behind digital twins is to make the physical and digital worlds work together seamlessly.
As Mark Cotteleer and Jeffery Crane explain in the Deloitte University Press article “Industry 4.0 and the Digital Twin”, digital twins use real-time data and advanced simulations to help us make continuous improvements and optimise physical systems.
This integration goes beyond simple monitoring to incorporate predictive analytics, which means we can take action before any issues arise.
The idea behind digital twins is to create a digital version of physical systems that can mirror their behaviours and interactions.
Digital twins can model all kinds of systems, from individual components to entire production plants.
This is a big deal for industries looking to build more agile and resilient operations.
For instance, in the automotive industry, manufacturers can create digital twins of vehicles to test and refine designs virtually, which saves time and money compared to physical prototyping.
In the energy sector, digital twins of wind farms can help to optimise turbine performance by analysing real-time data and predicting maintenance needs.
Similarly, in healthcare, digital twins of patients can help us to understand how different treatments work, so that we can provide more personalised and effective healthcare solutions.
McKinsey’s research in “What is digital-twin technology?” shows that 70% of C-suite executives are looking into digital twins to improve their operational strategies.
This shows how technology can help businesses make quick changes and improvements.
How Digital Twins Work
Digital twins basically create a virtual version of a physical object or system. This virtual model is updated all the time with data from sensors and IoT devices embedded in the physical entity.
The data is then processed and analysed using some pretty advanced algorithms and machine learning models.
The data is then presented in a way that’s easy to understand, so that the people who need to know can take action.
According to Somayeh Malakuti and Pieter van Schalkwyk in the IIC white paper, digital twins are built by combining data from different sources, including physics-based models, analytical models, time-series data, and transactional data.
This all-encompassing approach allows for a detailed and dynamic representation of the physical system, which makes it easier to monitor and simulate.
The idea behind digital twins is to connect real-world assets with real-time data to gain deep insights.
For instance, a car engine with sensors will send performance data to its digital twin, which can then simulate different scenarios to predict outcomes and suggest improvements.
For another detail example, kindly read “Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Urban Planning: Application, Benefits, and Challenges“
Types of Digital Twins
Just because you can use digital twins for everything doesn’t mean you should.
They come in different types, each one designed for a specific application and level of complexity.
Component twins are all about the nitty-gritty of individual parts within a larger system, like the health and performance of a motor or gearbox.
On the other hand, system twins take a broader view, modelling entire systems like a production line or an aircraft.
They bring together data from lots of different components to give you a complete picture of how the system works as a whole and how its different parts fit together.
Process twins are all about optimising processes and workflows.
These twins are all about boosting efficiency, whether it’s a manufacturing process or the complex logistics of a supply chain. They do this by simulating and meticulously analysing entire processes.
The IIC also points out that digital twins can be hierarchical, associational, or peer-to-peer, depending on how they relate to other parts of a system.
For example, a digital twin of a factory might include a network of individual machine twins, all connected to give a full picture of how the factory works.
For an insight into the cutting-edge world of BIM, kindly read “Transforming Construction: The Integration of BIM and VR“
Applications of Digital Twins
Digital twins aren’t just for one industry. They’re used in lots of different sectors, which is changing how businesses work.
In manufacturing, these digital twins are pretty much essential for keeping an eye on how well your equipment is working and for planning when it needs to be fixed.
This proactive approach means you can avoid costly downtime and get more done overall.
Siemens is a great example of a company that uses digital twins to make their production processes more efficient. They’ve seen some amazing results, with both greater output and better efficiency.
Smart cities use digital twins to make the most of their infrastructure, manage traffic, and improve public services.
Digital twins of urban environments help planners design more efficient and sustainable cities by running different scenarios and seeing how they affect things.
The aerospace industry uses digital twins for maintaining aircraft and optimising performance.
Digital twins of aircraft engines can predict when something might go wrong and schedule maintenance in advance, which helps to avoid in-flight issues.
Benefits of Using Digital Twins
At the heart of it all, digital twins give companies a clear picture and lots of data to work with, so they can make the right choices to boost their overall performance.
Consequently, one of the biggest benefits is in terms of making processes more efficient.
With real-time data and predictive analytics at their fingertips, companies can keep their assets in top shape and make their processes more efficient, so they can avoid downtime and get more done.
Another great benefit of digital twins is that they help cut costs.
By spotting problems before they become big problems, companies can avoid the cost of unexpected repairs and downtime.
On top of that, digital twins are a big help in making products better.
By using virtual simulations and rigorous testing, we can make sure the design and manufacturing processes are as good as they can be, and create superior products.
This is especially the case in the automotive industry, where digital twins help to perfect vehicle designs, resulting in improved performance and safety.
How to Maximise the Impact of Digital Twins
At BIM Scaler, we’ve got a set of gateways that make it easy to integrate digital twins into your operations.
Our CAD and BIM management expertise means you can use digital twins to make your operations more efficient, streamline maintenance and make data-driven decisions.
So, what can BIM Scaler do for you?
We know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why we offer customised solutions that match up with your specific needs and goals.
So, our team of experts will help you create and maintain accurate and effective digital twins.
We’ll work closely with you to make sure digital twins fit in with your existing systems, so there’s no disruption and everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Once you’ve got digital twins in place, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your assets in real time, spot any potential issues before they become problems, and make your operations as efficient as possible.
Digital twins are great for predicting maintenance needs and scheduling repairs proactively, which helps to reduce downtime and save you money.
Now, kindly head over to our BIM Management Support page to do your own background check.
Or just get in touch with us today to arrange a lunch and a chat. And yes, we’re all set for you.
In Closing
This cutting-edge technology gives businesses the power to streamline operations, cut costs and drive innovation through data-driven insights.
The digital twin journey is just getting started, and as it evolves, we can look forward to a whole range of new applications and benefits that will transform industries around the world.
So, what are digital twins? It’s a new way of managing physical systems using advanced digital simulations.
