Improvement of Factory Planning by Automated Generation of a Digital Twin

Abstract

The simulation of processes in production systems is a powerful tool for factory planning. The application of simulation methods within the Digital Factory is becoming increasingly relevant as developments in the field of digitalization lead to more comprehensive, efficient, embedded and cost-effective simulation methods. Especially the integration within a Digital Twin, allows these advantages to be achieved for simulations. Here, the Digital Twin can be utilized for prospective planning, analysis of existing systems or process-oriented monitoring. In all cases, the Digital Twin offers manufacturing companies room for improvement in production and logistics processes leading to cost savings. However, many companies do not apply the technology, because the generation of a Digital Twin is cost-, time- and resource-intensive and IT expertise is required. This paper presents an approach for generating a Digital Twin in the built environment automatically and for utilization in factory planning. The obstacles will be overcome by using a scan of the shop floor, subsequent object recognition, and predefined frameworks for factory planning within the Digital Twin. Here, the effort for scanning the production hall is additional, while the subsequent object recognition, the generation of the CAD model and the simulation model, as well as the factory planning can be to a great extent automated and therefore carried out with a minimum of effort. Therefore, considerable cost savings can be expected here, which more than offset the additional effort for scanning.