Building Discrete-Event Simulation for Digital Twin Applications in Production Systems

Abstract

Digital equivalence is the main objective of Digital Twin (DT)s, and simulation is an integral part. DTs reach beyond traditional simulation with the help of real-time synchronization through Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies. Simulation supports off-line experimentations and planning, while DTs offer synchronous execution and modification. DTs help to understand “what may happen”. Also, they present “what is happening” and its management methodologies. In this paper, we present building aspects and an integration approach for a Digital Twin based Discrete-Event Simulation model. Our approach utilizes a data-driven agent-based simulation within a DT framework. It presents an integration layer that provides two essential features: reconfiguration and state initialization. It gives simulation models configurability and integrity that are required for operating within a DT. Our proposed approach is presented through a use case of a semiconductor manufacturing system. The proposed integration layer extends the usability of current Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) for a DT within a Cyber-Physical Production System.