Evaluating Digital Twins as Training Centers: A Case Study

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to implement a Digital Twin (DT) of a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS), to guarantee student' learning and competence development at specialized labs. In the development of this project two software were employed. The first one is a Computer Aided Design (CAD) to digitalize the physical advanced manufacturing lab. The second one is a Simulation Process Software (SPS) to create the DT and to simulate the virtual fabrication system. This allowed to replicate physical conditions in a digital world, simulate the manufacturing process and finally link the DT to the physical FMS. Results associated to this experiment suggest that digitalizing a physical environment allowed students to: i) comprehend the configuration and equipment movement within a FMS, ii) perform safe free practices with specialized equipment, iii) optimize the functions and movements of industrial robots, and iv) foster the development of competences related to the automation of FMS.