Design Considerations for Building an IoT Enabled Digital Twin Machine Tool Sub-System

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) and digital twins (DT) are both key advancements in the fourth industrial revolution. IoT can enable the connection of various devices which collect data that can be utilized to create a DT which can provide various services such as condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, modeling, and other useful functionality. Machine tools are key components in modern manufacturing forming the backbone of most modern factories. Modern machine tools are very complex and expensive machines, often costing hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. It is desirable to ensure they are in good working condition. Given their complexity it may be desirable to begin IoT enabled DT development with one of its various subsystems such as the feed drives, tool changer, or spindle. This work covers considerations when building an IoT-enabled subsystem DT including: which data streams can be utilized, what should be considered when selecting a DT platform, and how data will be transmitted and analyzed in the system. A case study of a linear feed drive IoT-enabled feed drive is examined under this framework of development. This work should aid others with beginning the development process for an IoT enabled DT sub-system of their own.