Interscale Content Hub – The digital twins can simulate, test and predict outcomes, which can lead to big savings, better efficiency and more innovation. So, why digital twin is important?
Because the possibilities are endless; from making building designs more efficient to predicting when complex machinery will need maintenance.
Consequently, more businesses are turning to digital twins because they can make things more efficient, cut costs and spark new ideas.
In Australia, where industries like construction, mining, and manufacturing are really important for the economy, more and more companies are starting to use digital twin technology.
The Importance of Digital Twins Across Industries
Manufacturing
Digital twins are a key part of the manufacturing industry’s transformation. They allow us to monitor, analyse and optimise production processes in real time.
Research by Mohsen Attaran and Bilge Gokhan Celik in “Digital Twin: Benefits, use cases, challenges, and opportunities,” shows the digital twin market is set to grow.
It’s estimated to be worth around $8 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 25% from 2023 to 2032.
This growth is due to digital twins’ ability to simulate production processes, predict equipment failures, and optimize supply chain operations.
For example, a study by Steve MacFeely and Hossein Hassani in “Digital Twin & Official Statistics” shows that digital twins can mirror the life of physical products, helping manufacturers predict bottlenecks and streamline operations.
This predictive capability can lead to big cost savings and efficiency improvements.
McKinsey in “Digital twins: The next frontier of factory optimization,” gives us a great example of this in their piece on digital twins.
The next big thing in factory optimisation is a digital twin. It helped an industrial player redesign its production schedule, saving 5-7% a month by cutting overtime and making better use of its resources.
Architecture
In the world of architecture, digital twins are used to create detailed 3D models for better design, construction, and facility management.
Being able to visualise and simulate different design options helps architects and engineers make buildings perform better and be more sustainable.
The Virtual Singapore concept, as outlined by MacFeely and Hassani, shows how digital twins can combine geospatial and real-time dynamic data for urban planning and environmental analysis.
Another great thing about digital twins is how they help people working on the same project to work together better.
This makes it easier to make the right decisions and helps to avoid mistakes during construction.
For example, digital twins can show how changes to a building’s design affect energy use and the environment, helping us create more sustainable buildings.
For a balanced view of digital twins, take a look at “The Pros and Cons of Digital Twins: A Fair Look at Much-Talked Tech.”
Construction
Digital twin technology can benefit the construction industry, especially in managing projects better and maximising resources.
Digital twins let you keep an eye on how a construction project is going in real time, so you can spot and fix problems before they get out of hand.
Attaran and Celik say digital twins can monitor the performance of different construction parts, ensuring projects are finished on time and within budget.
On top of that, digital twins help with planning and logistics by showing you exactly where your resources are and how you’re using them.
This helps construction managers make the most of their materials, labour and equipment, which means less waste and better efficiency.
Simulating different construction scenarios also helps to keep everyone safe by allowing workers to spot potential dangers and make plans to avoid them.
Engineering
The digital twins let engineers test and tweak designs before they start building the real thing.
Attaran and Celik show how digital twins can help with product lifecycle management and predictive maintenance.
MacFeely and Hassani talk about how digital twins make engineering projects more accurate and efficient by combining real-time data and advanced simulations.
This is a huge plus in industries like aerospace and automotive, where precision and reliability are key.
Automotive
The automotive industry is using digital twins to make vehicle design, production and maintenance better.
Digital twins let manufacturers test and tweak every part of a vehicle’s life cycle, from design and testing to production and after-sales service.
Attaran and Celik say that digital twins help automotive companies make better products and keep customers happier by giving them a detailed picture of how a vehicle performs and what it needs to stay in good shape.
Boeing’s use of digital twins in the aerospace industry is a great example of how this technology is making an impact.
Digital twins help make aircraft parts and systems safer and higher quality.
This shows just how much digital twins can help with product development and making processes more efficient.
Healthcare
Digital twins are becoming increasingly popular in healthcare. They’re used to improve patient care, make facilities more efficient and speed up medical research.
They create detailed models of patients, medical devices, and healthcare facilities, which means they can offer personalised treatment and preventive care.
Attaran and Celik explain how digital twins are used to simulate patient characteristics and predict treatment outcomes, making medical interventions more accurate and effective.
One good example is Dassault’s “Living Heart” project, which uses digital twins to create accurate 3D models of human hearts for medical research and device testing.
This tech helps us develop new treatments and improve patient outcomes by giving us detailed insights into how the human heart works.
You might want to take a look at “Digital Twins for Asset Management: Make Your Asset Story Come Alive,” to get an idea of how digital twins work in your system.
How do Digital Twins Improve Operational Efficiency?
Digital twins let you keep an eye on how your equipment is performing in real time, spot any issues, and take action to prevent them from causing problems.
This predictive maintenance capability can really help to cut down on downtime and maintenance costs.
As well as helping with maintenance, digital twins also let companies test out different scenarios and tweak variables in a safe, virtual environment, so they can make their processes more efficient.
For instance, construction companies can use digital twins of buildings to test out different energy-saving strategies.
The fact you can try things out and learn from them without any real-world consequences makes it easier to innovate and work more efficiently.
This makes it easier for businesses to respond quickly to what customers want and new technology.
For instance, real-time digital twins in building management have made it easier to spot and fix problems, which has saved money and improved how we manage our assets.
Facility managers can use digital twins to keep an eye on building systems, make the most of energy usage, and improve how things are done overall.
How You Bring Digital Twins Into Your Business?
Embracing digital twins can feel like navigating a complex maze. There are many challenges that can make many people wonder if it’s the right move.
It’s a fair concern, but the potential benefits are well worth the initial effort. That’s why you should think of digital twins as an investment, not just an expense.
The long-term benefits in terms of operating more efficiently, saving on costs, and reducing risks can be huge.
That makes digital twins a really valuable tool for businesses that are looking to the future.
With that in mind, we at Interscale offer tailored solutions to tackle the specific issues each business is facing.
We’re experts in BIM management, which is at the heart of this digital twins approach.
We use BIM data and processes to create a solid foundation for digital twins, making sure they’re accurate, work well together, and have smooth workflows.
What does that mean for your business?
All that means we’ll be your support system, helping you to work more efficiently, make better decisions and bring new ideas to market faster.
So, just drop us a line to arrange a meeting. We’re here for you 24/7 to guide you through the process and help you turn challenges into opportunities.
In Closing
If you’re a business in Australia or the Asia Pacific region, digital twins could be your ticket to staying competitive and thriving in our ever-changing tech landscape.
So, why digital twin is important? It’s a pretty powerful tool that’s changing how we understand and interact with complex systems.
