The automotiveworld.com server reports on the growing demand for batteries for electric cars, and the irreplaceable role of digital twins in their production. If there are to be 300 million electric cars on all the world’s roads by 2050 (as assumed by the International Energy Agency), it is necessary to ensure enough energy for them.

A possible path is the introduction of intelligent and efficient battery production using digital visual support tools in so-called gigafactories. These are based on a manufacturing execution system (MES) that informs the production process in real time, and helps optimize production planning and scheduling, monitors inventory levels, and analyzes production data. MES can solve lifecycle challenges in the digital world before they happen in the real world.

“Meeting the challenges of shortened project timelines, improving manufacturing capabilities, and changing manufacturing requirements requires EV manufacturers to use simulation software such as digital twins. A digital twin is more than just a visual representation of an asset or system; it’s a dynamic model that behaves and reacts to conditions, just like in a real-world operating scenario,” writes Cliff Rice on the site.

As he further states, digital twins will be used within the gigafactory when creating conceptual models of production systems, when testing various devices in the factory, and when working in a virtual environment.

“… They (the engineers, editor’s note) can create a virtual machine that uses real operational logic and interfaces with the control system. This allows manufacturers to examine, troubleshoot, and confirm machine performance before putting it into service, as well as emulate the machine to test new product types and configurations. In addition, emulation allows manufacturers to perform tasks that may be too dangerous, time- consuming, and expensive, or consume excessive amounts of raw materials, or even threaten other production processes in the plant,” highlights the author.

Source: https://www.automotiveworld.com/articles/digital-twins-to-aid- gigafactory-push/