PLM Library · Paper
Digital Twin in manufacturing: A categorical literature review and classification
- Author
- Werner Kritzinger, Matthias Karner, Georg Traar, Jan Henjes, Wilfried Sihn
- Publisher
- IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 51, No. 11 (Elsevier)
- Year
- 2018
Summary
A literature review that brings order to the many uses of the term "digital twin" in manufacturing.
Its best-known contribution is a classification by level of data integration: the Digital Model (manual data exchange), the Digital Shadow (automatic flow from physical to digital) and the Digital Twin (automatic flow in both directions).
Our verdict
Recommended — short and useful. The model / shadow / twin distinction is a simple, practical way to cut through vendor marketing and agree on what a "digital twin" project actually means.
Who should read it
- —Anyone discussing or scoping digital twin initiatives
- —PLM and manufacturing leaders evaluating vendor claims
How it relates to your work
- —Gives a shared vocabulary for how tightly PLM data is connected to physical products and production.
- —Helps set realistic scope when planning digital twin or digital thread work.
Keep in mind
- —A literature review, so it classifies rather than explains how to build twins.
- —Focused on manufacturing; product-in-use twins get less attention.