Parallel Robot Controlled by PLC and its Digital Twin

What is it about?

This work focuses on the design and creation of a cybernetic physical system and its digital twin, based on CAD system modeling in conjunction with simulation and programming tools connected to real and simulated control systems. This process accelerates the development of the application implementation with the possibility to create a PLC control program and tune the system already in the design phase. Thus, the physical realization can be done in parallel with the programming and creation of the HMI interface. Modular programming will further accelerate software development [1]. The created system and its digital twin serve as a unified teaching tool without the need for real devices to be used by many students and users. This approach allows testing of program algorithms without the risk of damaging physical devices and is also suitable for distance learning.

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Photo by Rock'n Roll Monkey on Unsplash

Photo by Rock'n Roll Monkey on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Modern ways of device development use the concept of a digital twin. A digital twin is an accurate digital copy of something that exists or is planned to be realized in the physical world. The digital twin is not only a virtual model of the physical system but also a dynamic data and status information carrier obtained through a series of IoT-connected sensors that collect data from the physical world and send it to machines. The digital twin provides an overview of what is happening to the device in real-time. This is very important in the industry as this information is helpful to reduce maintenance issues and ensure production performance.