Combining laser scanning, 3D modeling, and AI provides revolutionary efficiencies and innovations never before possible. Highly versatile digital twin solutions are a must for many applications and industries.
The extreme versatility of laser scanning and 3D modeling, combined with AI to create “smart” digital twins makes this technology ideal for a host of applications and industries. Offering fast, convenient, efficient and cost-effective solutions, AI-powered digital twins deliver critical data for manufacturing and mining operations, automated warehouses and energy facilities, wastewater treatment plants, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace and aviation, transportation and many more. For specialized personnel training (especially safety training), digital twins coupled with virtual reality offer a realistic environment for simulations, while eliminating inherent risks, material waste and potential equipment damage.
Digital Twins + AI Can Simplify Complex Manufacturing Processes
Digital twins used with AI are highly effective for managing complex manufacturing plants and projects. As-built data on existing facilities can be collected with a combination of long and medium range laser scanners to capture complex sites challenged with limited access. Using the latest technology, any object within the plant that is visible is scanned, from overhead pipes to large vessels to handrails, all from a safe distance.
Existing facilities use digital twins to capture up to date, as-built facility data, pre-installed machinery dimensions and accurate additional digital data for AI applications as well as for future modifications. A digital twin often creates a measurable 3D model of an existing facility within days – not weeks or months.
Laser scanning technology also assists manufacturers with modular build solutions. These manufacturers use digital twins to design and build complete modular plants or sections of plants off-site in a safer, more spacious environment. Completed modules are then moved to their final destination at a plant site. Using the digital twin data, manufacturers use AI to plan the modular build down to the very last detail with extremely high accuracies and tolerances. With the digital twin data in hand, manufacturers have ready access to final module dimensions and can plan around route restrictions during final module transport.
Tall structures or large manufacturing sites pose no issue to digital twin scanning when 3D laser scanners are combined with UAV (drone) technology. LiDAR-outfitted drones help scan areas that are difficult to reach, in less than half the time it would take a human to access the same areas, while significantly reducing risk of injury.
Mining
Digital twins are commonly used in mining to optimize processes, simulate different scenarios, and monitor equipment performance in real time. Incorporating AI into 3D models to create “smart” digital twins improves the overall functionality of the 3D models.
Operators use equipment digital twins to monitor performance and identify potential issues before they occur, and AI analysis offers insights for preventative maintenance to avoid equipment failure and downtime. Digital twin models are also used to test different mining strategies and determine the most effective and efficient approach. Through AI data analysis of the digital twin, operators can identify areas where processes can be optimized. By using AI-powered digital twins, mines can reduce downtime, improve safety and increase overall productivity.
Improved Order Fulfillment in Automated Warehouses
Digital twins are an essential tool for capturing complex systems of automated warehouse operations to plan and validate proposed flow or process improvements. For example, using simulations to optimize order fulfillment flows in a virtual digital twin environment allows for streamlining operations, in both material movement and time, and is a valuable tool in modeling warehouse simulations before deployment of new improved flows or processes. Today’s next-gen logistics platforms are incorporating digital twin data to solve complex material handling challenges by using real-time data and AI.
Digital Twin Technology Adds Value to the Energy Sector
Complex networks of industrial infrastructures serve as the foundation for today’s oil and gas as well as renewable energy operations. Maintaining and operating these large assets needs to be as efficient as possible. Using AI-powered digital twins of energy generation and distribution components can improve employee safety, allow for remote management and predictive maintenance. From a larger point of view, digital twins of entire infrastructure networks can deliver AI insights from interconnected assets — improving energy distribution and supply chain management.
Solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal and tidal energy projects all make use of AI-powered digital twins for a variety of phases including design and planning, performance predictions, remote monitoring and control, predictive maintenance, resource optimization and training/simulations.
Digital Twins Speed Up Transit Transformations
The transportation sector is now using digital twins with AI to analyze road, rail, maritime and aviation infrastructure and systems to develop effective solutions to increase efficiencies and reduce carbon emissions. To meet carbon footprint reduction goals within the next 10-15 years, this technology is poised to accelerate global progress for connected smart cities.
Specialized Training with Digital Twins Eliminates Risks, Improves Knowledge
Most types of staff training can be improved through the implementation of digital twins coupled with virtual reality. By mimicking the equipment, flow or process with a digital twin, students like machinists, repair technicians and specialists have access to an enhanced simulation training environment. These users gain practical knowledge of workflows and job specifications without risk to expensive equipment, wasting of materials, or jeopardizing personal safety.
Across the globe, AI + digital twin use cases are exploding in popularity as valuable tools to achieve goals safer and faster. By combining laser scanning, digital twinning with AI, we can create highly accurate and insightful “smart” models that offer a fast, efficient, and cost-effective solution for various industries, including manufacturing, mining, transportation, and personnel training. AI-powered digital twins provide critical data so complex networks can be safely aggregated and simplified, which can lead to transformative changes and improvements.
Sign up for our email newsletter to receive updates on the latest in engineering technology that will help improve your projects' efficiency, safety, and costs.