ebook: Empowering Machine Builders for Virtual Factory Acceptance

Manufacturers increasingly require machine builders to furnish them with digital twins for use in virtual factory acceptance tests. By harnessing digital twin technology in their design processes and practices, machine builders not only meet their clients’ demands, they also increase their productivity, and that of their clients, in other important ways.

Essential Requirements for Machine Builders

Manufacturers have essential requirements for their machine builders.

• The flexibility of a machine’s design can be demonstrated through simulations. In the event of subsequent retrofits, feasibility is easily verified
• Production of quality parts and capabilities for predictive maintenance are confirmed
• Operator training can be accomplished proactively, prior to the machine’s

Four Main Reasons Machine Builders are using Digital Twins

• Eliminating errors: This clearly resonates from an automation standpoint.
• Sequencing of operations: A better-quality machine results from improved communications among mechanical, electrical and automation engineering departments.
• Training: With a virtual HMI, virtual PLC and digital twin, operators can be trained before the machine is built.
• Validation and documentation: For the end-user, a virtual factory acceptance test provides validation. Moreover, at handover, clients want more than just 2D or 3D diagrams and a Word document describing how the machine runs. They want to have the tools that were used to execute the machine design and sequencing and therefore have a better understanding of how the machine will run.