03/27/2024

Digital twins? Administration shell? These concepts are crucial – today!

Dunkermotoren, an AMETEK brand specializing in integrated BLDC motors, is spearheading innovative IIoT solutions under the nexofox label. These solutions offer customers unprecedented opportunities to analyze and integrate drive data. One of the primary focuses of Dunkermotoren's efforts is the development of comprehensive digital processes in collaboration with its customers. At the heart of these endeavors lies the creation of digital twins, leveraging the concept of the Asset Administration Shell (AAS). The significance and potential of this approach might not be immediately apparent, but numerous use cases shed light on its promising nature.

In the realm of product and factory digitalization, the digital twin is emerging as a central component. Dunkermotoren has collaborated with other renowned component manufacturers through the Open Industry 4.0 Alliance (OI4) to explore this concept. Particularly for components, the relevance of digital twins is already evident, with existing use cases demonstrating the need to supply product documentation and information digitally and in standardized formats - a task that could be significantly facilitated by standardized digital twins.

Looking ahead, numerous factors further highlight the importance of this technological approach. It's foreseeable that the EU will impose increasingly stringent regulatory and documentation requirements on delivered products. Examples include the Digital Product Passport (DPP) under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulation (ESPR) and the CO2 footprint outlined in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRP). Additionally, IT security demands, such as those outlined in the Cyber Resilience Act, are essential, particularly concerning software patching for products.

What unites these regulations is the constant expansion of product information required from customers, end-users, and other stakeholders in the value chain. Meeting these demands necessitates standardized aggregation of product-related data alongside uniform data provision - a task ideally suited for the digital twin framework.

Looking a bit further ahead, there are even more exciting possibilities emerging in how digital services can truly add value. This is an area where component manufacturers are dedicating significant effort, but one that has often faced the challenge of data sovereignty. Here's the issue: Machine manufacturers use components from various component manufacturers to build their machines. These machines are then operated by the customers of the machine manufacturers. The crucial data, which can provide insights into the product status, is generated only when the machine operates in the factory. However, the sovereignty over this data doesn't lie with either the component manufacturer or the machine manufacturer; it rests with the plant operator where the data is generated.

While pilot and flagship projects can sometimes address this problem through intricate individual contracts, this approach typically becomes an insurmountable obstacle for mass production. From the perspective of component manufacturers, the digital twin could offer a key solution. If a digital twin were provided alongside the physical product and integrated by the machine manufacturer, it could then be transferred to the machine operator and incorporated into their IT environment. Consequently, the data generated from operating the installed component would also enhance the digital twin sourced from there. If analyses, such as identifying mechanical wear, require engine data, the system operator could voluntarily share this data with the machine and component manufacturers through the synchronization of digital twins along the value chain. The component manufacturer utilizes appropriate algorithms to determine the data records communicated through the chain of digital twins, then sends the results to the machine manufacturer, who in turn shares it with the machine operator. This enables the machine manufacturer to integrate a digital service for detecting component wear into its predictive maintenance solution and offer it to customers. This approach fosters transparent, voluntary business transactions.

Another possibility for the component manufacturer is to purchase the data from the machine operator, who may also need to acquire the analysis if required. Standardized digital twins and data room networking would facilitate the implementation of digital value-added services throughout the value chain. While a few pieces of the puzzle remain before this scenario can be fully realized, there is a clear trend in this direction, prompting Dunkermotoren to devote significant efforts to developing the necessary technologies already today.

The Technology Explained Briefly

As highlighted in the aforementioned cases, a standardized digital twin plays a crucial role in implementing digital value-added services. But what exactly does such a twin entail? Dunkermotoren identifies the administration shell (AAS) as a fundamental technology in this regard. Its standard is already acknowledged across various industries and initiatives like Catena-X, Factory-X, the VDMA, the Industrial Digital Twin Association (IDTA), and the Open Industry 4.0 Alliance. This standard is increasingly discussed and adopted on a broader scale. Like the evolution of the Internet, the appeal here lies in a decentralized approach. This enables the exchange of data across different environments through a common standard. Drawing parallels to the Internet, various product catalogs can be likened to browsers, corporate IT to homepages, and the AAS to the IP protocol. Cross-company digitalization and the industrial data economy can only thrive if a heterogeneous system is established, allowing everyone to exchange and transact data under clearly defined rules.

Dunkermotoren and the IIoT

Guided by this vision, Dunkermotoren has taken on the challenge of administration shells and digital twins. In the current iteration, associated documents and technical data can be accessed by scanning a 2D code on the motor. Dunkermotoren is gradually implementing this feature across its entire portfolio. However, from a functional perspective, this marks just the beginning.
Expanding upon this, Dunkermotoren is also working on providing CO2 footprints, exchanging time series data, and directly integrating digital twins into customers' ERP or PLM systems. These initiatives are being pursued collaboratively with other companies within the Open Industry 4.0 Alliance.

Hands-on - testing the technology live

As already mentioned, in addition to all the technology, collaboration and exchange with other companies is also an essential topic in the development of interoperable solutions. This is where the IDTA and OI4 provide an ideal environment for Dunkermotoren. The IDTA is responsible for the basic standardization and definition of the administration shell, which is particularly essential for functioning interoperability. The OI4 provides tangible use cases and best practices for successful implementation across various industries.
If you would like to look into the future, you can already test the whole construct live! As part of Hanover Fair 2024, the Open Industry Alliance is once again organizing a Digital Twin Challenge. This will impressively demonstrate how open and interoperable the digital twin approach is and how easy it is to get started. In the form of a "rally", digital twins of real products can be scanned or collected at various trade fair stands. Join the challenge and see how digital, cross-company collaboration will be key to future competitiveness.