Never ask this question again!
- "How can you tell the difference between a digital twin and a virtual simulation?"
Because that's the equivalent of asking
- "How do you tell the difference between a car and a wheel?"
When you first come into contact with the concepts of "digital twin" and "virtual simulation", you may be confused:
Are the two synonymous?
What exactly is the relationship between the two?
Now, let's put aside all sorts of obscure definitions and explain it in layman's terms in one sentence:
A virtual simulation is a "reproduction" of a real physical object, while a digital twin is an "online" representation of a real physical object.
At the same time, like a car and a steam wheel, the two are included and included, so theoretically they cannot be compared.
Conceptual definition
Simulation is just one important part of the many key technologies that enable digital twins, and comparing the two is like comparing a car to a wheel, and the two are not in the same dimension.
Digital twin is to make full use of physical models, sensor updates, operation history and other data, integrate multi-disciplinary, multi-physical, multi-scale, multi-probability simulation process, and complete the mapping in the virtual space, so as to reflect the whole life cycle process of the corresponding physical equipment. In layman's terms, digital twin is called digital twin and digital mirror, that is, the use of information technology to "clone" things and processes in the real world into a virtual digital model.
Virtual simulation is a model technology that uses simulation hardware and simulation software to reflect the behavior or process of the system through simulation experiments, with the help of certain numerical calculations and problem solving, and is a method that transforms the model containing deterministic laws and complete mechanisms into software to simulate the physical world, with the purpose of relying on the correct model and complete information and environmental data to reflect the characteristics and parameters of the physical world.
From the definition of the two, we can know that simulation is only an important part of the many key technologies to realize digital twins, and the two are not in the same dimension, and simply comparing the two is like comparing a car to a wheel.
Overall, the main difference between virtual simulation and digital twin is their purpose and field of application.
Virtual simulation focuses more on providing a virtual environment for practice and training, while digital twins focus more on entity-based data models for entity monitoring, analysis, and optimization. In practice, virtual simulation and digital twins can be combined and complement each other to provide more comprehensive and accurate solutions.
Practical application
Nowadays, digital twins and virtual simulation technologies are widely used in many fields.
In industrial production, workflows can be optimized through virtual simulation, and then monitored and predicted in real time through digital twins;
In the medical field, surgical simulation and training can be carried out through virtual simulation, and then real-time monitoring and personalized treatment of patients can be carried out through digital twins;
In the field of intelligent manufacturing, digital twin is considered to be an effective means to realize the interactive integration of the manufacturing information world and the physical world, and virtual simulation is an important technical force to realize this means.
In the field of mining, the digital twin system of Beijing OBIER smart mine is helping the traditional mining industry enter a new stage of informatization, automation and intelligence through digital twin technology.
Beijing OBIER Smart Mine Digital Twin System
The platform enables front-line employees to quickly grasp the use of intelligent mining equipment, so that maintenance personnel can fully understand the structure of intelligent mining equipment, and students of mining colleges and universities can thoroughly understand the operation principle of the equipment.
System features
Provides device splitting based on digital twins
Based on the design, production and assembly drawings of mining equipment, a complete digital model is established to let students understand the main components, operation process and working principle of the equipment.
DCS simulation module is provided
It can simulate the overall operation process of the intelligent mining system, and use several controllers (process stations) to control many control points in a production process, and each controller can be connected through a network and can exchange data. Trainees can connect to the controller via a network to collect production data and communicate operational instructions.
Action twins
In addition to the basic data visualization, camera switching and other functions, there is also an action twin function, and the data from the server can drive the synchronous actions of the virtual devices in the twin scene to present a dynamic twin effect.
System features:
Visualize the operation of an intelligent mining system
Through 3D rendering technology, the position of the equipment is accurately tracked, and the coordination process of various equipment and facilities is synchronously reproduced.
Realize data integration and fusion of digital twins of smart mining equipment
Provide effective data for intelligent management and control personnel to analyze equipment and data, so as to improve the level of comprehensive management. Through the multi-system information flow, the full integration of intelligent mining information is realized, so that front-line employees can perceive the operation status of the system in real time, make timely decision-making adjustments, reduce costs and increase efficiency.
The digital twin system shows the overall appearance of a smart mine
With immersive virtual simulation scenes as the medium and visualization and high interaction technology as the means, it responds to the call for the development of national digital mines, and provides technical support, so that visitors can appreciate the scientific and technological connotation and leading position of smart mines.