Digital Twin of an Electrical Motor Based on Empirical Performance Model

The concept of Digital Twin is creating and maintaining a digital representation of the real physical entity and supporting its performance utilizing simulation and optimization tools, which are fed with real data. Development and implementation of Digital Twin technology is a hot topic in many industry-oriented research projects. However, more detailed studies are needed on design methods for Digital Twins, which allows full synchronization and connectivity between virtual and real environments. This paper presents a development case study of Digital Twin for an electric motor based on an empirical performance model. The paper discusses the way how the data required for the Digital Twin were obtained and present a detailed structural description of the virtual entity. Unity3D is used for physics simulations and visualization of the Digital Twin, because of simple accessible and meticulously detailed documentation highly useful for rapid prototyping in early stages.

I. Introduction

The concept of Digital Twin (DT) is creating and maintaining a digital representation of the real physical entity and supporting its performance through simulation and optimization tools, which are fed with real and updated data. DT is a part of the digitalization and simulation pillar of Industry 4.0 paradigm [1]. The application of Industry 4.0 technologies in many sectors has been barely examined yet since the variation of sub-processes and manufacturing technologies results in a large number of potential combinations. DT technology may present a valuable tool for the rapid integration of Industry 4.0 in today's technologies. DT covers three components: knowledge content, effect, and functionality, and application domain [2]; for utilization of a DT technology, the relations of the three components must be recognized, and the gaps remaining for exploration identified.