Virtual Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)

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.

Predict machine failures with Predictive Maintenance in Manufacturing

• 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 delivery

Machine builders traditionally experience a disjuncture or gap occurring between the engineering of a machine and its standup and testing. Moreover, engineering processes tend to proceed step-by-step, from mechanical to electrical to automation. Use of a digital twin allows for a seamless, concurrent processes.

Validate Machine Sequencing

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.