2 misconceptions you probably heard about Digital Twin

Digital Twin projects have a very wide scope. From medical healthcare systems, city management to industrial software, this technology can be used for many different applications. While the expectations about Digital Twin may be high, There are two misconceptions about it: that it is an expensive process and that it takes too much time to be built.?

What is a Digital Twin? ?

In the 4th Industrial Revolution, at the beginning of the 21st century, Michael Grieves applied a new concept to manufacturing: the Digital Twin technology. Briefly, Digital Twin is a virtual replica of a physical object in a digital platform, where one can input data, simulate, plan, predict and act virtually, to better understand the real physical entity Also, the technology may or may not contain a 3D model, and its differential is in allowing different data interaction at the platform.?

This technology is similar to BIM technology, but unlike the static nature of BIM Models, Digital Twin technology builds a continuous flow of data between the virtual model and the physical object. These data provided by the physical object influence the digital model and vice versa. Therefore, the outcome is an automated process with more assertive decisions.

1. It is a very expensive technology

When we talk about digital solutions, we must take into account the sector in which the technology will be applied, and what other technologies are going to be necessary to build the Digital Twin. For example, implementing a Digital Twin of a single asset, such as a specific motor, is different from creating one of a complete FPSO. As it has some customization, some things vary from industrial plants, and it must be asked: What does the company already own, and what needs to be developed from scratch? Such as:

• Technical drawings,?
• 3D models?
• Engineering data?
• Documentation?
• Spreadsheets?

Are these data already structured or do they need to be collected and digitalized??

In general, a Digital Twin isn’t expensive, or it doesn’t have to be, it all depends on the level of refinement the company needs. Since a Digital Twin doesn’t necessarily need a 3D model, this whole work can be very affordable. But, if the company wants a 3D model for a more intuitive operation, we must take into account what is the LOD (Level Of Development) necessary.?

Very used in BIM, this can also be linked to Digital Twin. If you need to monitor just a piece of an asset, and the digital model doesn’t need to be so refined, it is actually an accessive tool to monitor assets. And taking into account that a Digital Twin platform can centralize all data needed for the operation, reducing the time spent on trivial tasks, it is a great long-term investment for the company.?

2. Takes too much time to be built from scratch.?

Let’s take the following scenario: the company wants a Digital Twin to monitor and centralize information about an important asset, but the 3D model doesn’t need to be so refined.? However, they don’t have the documents digitalized, do field inspections using paper checklists, and don’t have a 3D model of the asset.

It would be necessary to build a simple 3D model, using tools such as cloud points, compile all the technical drawings, documents, and information from the checklists and sensors attached to the equipment. In this case, the time spent to build it all will take a few months, but no more than 6, and they will be able to use an alert system, work orders, and much more. In addition to replicating this model to other similar equipment in the company, taking less time. For a more detailed step-by-step, we developed a Digital Twin framework in 4 steps.?

In this article, we showed some misconceptions about the Digital Twin technology, and how this can be a valuable and affordable tool for industrial operators. In a simple framework, you can have your own Digital Twin and guarantee a sustainable and smart process. If you want to learn more about how a DT is developed, this material can also be of interest: (link para portfolio)?