Graphics-based modular digital twin software framework for production lines

作     者：Yu, Xinyi Sun, Xiaoyao Ou, Linlin 

作者机构：Zhejiang Univ Technol Coll Informat Engn Hangzhou 310023 Peoples R China 

出 版 物：《COMPUTERS & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING》 (计算机与工业工程)

年 卷 期：2024年第193卷

核心收录：

学科分类：1201[管理学-管理科学与工程(可授管理学、工学学位)] 08[工学] 0812[工学-计算机科学与技术（可授工学、理学学位）] 

基　　金：National Natural Science Foundation of China Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China [LBMHD24F030002] 

主　　题：Digital twin Smart manufacturing Graphical User Interface (GUI) Visual programming Modular approach 

摘      要：Due to the diversity of products and small batch sizes, production lines are often faced with reconfiguration or even line changes. Applying digital twin technology to production lines is one of the most promising approaches. However, factory personnel are not all aware and familiar with digital twin technology, and they have difficulty adapting or implementing digital twin scenarios. To more easily construct or reconfigure production line digital twin scenarios, this paper proposes a graphics-based, modular, and user-oriented digital twin software framework for production lines. The framework divides the digital twin implementation process into five functional modules: twin model construction, model operation, connection and interaction, control logic, visualization assistance and interaction, which are graphically encapsulated. The modular format helps standardize the construction and operation of the digital twin production line, and improves the flexibility and versatility of the framework. Meanwhile, multiple functional libraries are encapsulated to simplify the construction steps and processes based on graphical user interface. Combining visual programming to implement control logic in a low-code visual programming manner, reducing the difficulty of getting started. And various UI elements are used to enhance human-computer interaction. A digital twin platform was developed based on the proposed framework, and experiments were conducted with a hardware production line as an example. The experimental results show that it is feasible to construct digital twin production lines conveniently and reduce the complexity of the constructing process based on this platform, thus the feasibility of the framework is verified.