Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Introduction
The paradigm shift in manufacturing that Industry 4.0 brings forth with new advanced technologies and the rapid growth of sensing and controlling technologies enable further visualization and optimization that can contribute to achievingimproved decision-making in manufacturing. A significant new capability is the ability to construct a Digital Twinthat connects the physical and virtual space. However, there are still confusion and obscurity regarding what Digital Twinis and how it can becreated and then used to create value for the company. Therefor the purpose of the thesis is to examine how manufacturing companies can utilize the implementation of Digital Twinand assess Digital Twinin a shop-floor.
➢RQ1: How can DT be beneficial to increase business value in a manufacturing company?
➢RQ2: What changes need to be done in the shop-floor to implement Digital Twin?
Methodology
A literature review was conducted to provide previous researchand contextwithin the area of Digital Twin. A multiple-case studywas performed at three case companies to gain meaningful insight from a real-world perspective, semi-structured interviews, dialogs, and observations were conductedat the case companies. The analysis was then performed by examining similarities, and dissimilarities between theoretical and empirical data, as well as opportunities in theoretical findings that correspond with challenges in empirical findings.
Frame of Reference
The literature review increased the authors’ understanding of the research topic and gave context to the concept of Digital Twin. The review is mainly focused on the Digital Twintechnologyand how it is constructed, as well as the applicationsareas.
Empirical Findings
The empirical findings provide an overview of boththe current and future state of the case companies in relation to organizational, operational, and technological factors. Additionally, it provides a deeper understanding of how shop-floor management is designed at one of the case companies.
Analysis
The combination of the Frame of Reference and Empirical Findings contributewith important insight on the potential benefits that can be created through the utilizationof Digital Twin, as well as what is requiredin the shop-floor to enable implementation ofDigital Twin.
Conclusions
The value that can be created utilizing Digital Twinis outlinedand a clearer definition is proposed to avoid misunderstandings and confusion. Requirements that need to be achieved for a successful implementation arecovered as well. A future recommendation is measuring resources and effort in relation to the created value of a Digital Twin.
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