Using Digital Twin in a Shipbuilding Project

Abstract

Three-dimensional modelling software tools enable the creation of a digital replica of the product—“Digital Twin”—a representative of “Virtual Reality” as one of the prominent trends of Industry 4.0. The development of the Digital Twin can start simultaneously with the development of the product, primarily for the purpose of selecting optimal technical and technological solutions prior to and during physical construction, and, ultimately, with the intention of managing the entire product life cycle. The Digital Twin, as one of the key technological achievements in the implementation of the business system transformation from traditional to smart, should also be recognized as the cornerstone of the “Shipyard 4.0” model, i.e., its “Cyber-Physical Space.” This paper is based on statistical and empirical data of the observed shipyard with the aim to represent the significance of the Digital Twin ship in preserving and improving the competitiveness of the shipbuilding industry. Namely, with the emphasis this article places on the contribution of “advanced outfitting” in achieving savings in the shipbuilding process as well as its role in attaining high standards of environmental protection and workplace safety, the importance of its further improvement is an obvious conclusion—with Digital Twin being one of the recognized tools for this purpose.

Development of Augmented Reality Technology Implementation in a Shipbuilding Project Realization Process

“…A great amount of research emphasizes the DT, a virtual replica of a physical product, or, for example, a manufacturing system [7], as the backbone of Industry 4.0, i.e., its supply chain [2,5,8]. However, for DT implementation, a previous coherent exchange of data among all functional units of the business system is necessary, regardless of the hierarchical structure [9].…”

“…However, for DT implementation, a previous coherent exchange of data among all functional units of the business system is necessary, regardless of the hierarchical structure [9]. Digital 3D modeling, through the stages of vessel development and design, enables the definition of optimal technical-technological solutions in order to achieve lower construction and maintenance costs, i.e., more energy-efficient ship systems as well as their form, and thus, lower exploitation costs [2,10]. However, although the digital prototype of a ship is developed in parallel with its development, design, and construction [9,10], its degree of integration with the physical entity (from creation to delivery) is assumed to be complete, which distances it from Building Information Modeling (BIM) [11,12] or Digital Shadow concepts [13].…”

“…However, although the digital prototype of a ship is developed in parallel with its development, design, and construction [9,10], its degree of integration with the physical entity (from creation to delivery) is assumed to be complete, which distances it from Building Information Modeling (BIM) [11,12] or Digital Shadow concepts [13]. Namely, the daily exchange of data between the virtual and physical entity (communication among client representatives, shipbuilding departments and facilities, and subcontractors) is implied [2], and thus, the continuous implementation of improvements and/or changes-both in the project and construction. In addition, within the focus of ship optimization through 3D modeling is also the definition of project solutions that assume simpler and thus safer activities in the construction or exploitation of the product, thereby ensuring a high level of health and occupational safety [2,14].…”

“…Namely, the daily exchange of data between the virtual and physical entity (communication among client representatives, shipbuilding departments and facilities, and subcontractors) is implied [2], and thus, the continuous implementation of improvements and/or changes-both in the project and construction. In addition, within the focus of ship optimization through 3D modeling is also the definition of project solutions that assume simpler and thus safer activities in the construction or exploitation of the product, thereby ensuring a high level of health and occupational safety [2,14]. The aim to eliminate or at least minimize the possibility of injuries places workers at the center of attention, which is one of the main characteristics that distinguishes DTs from BIM [14,15].…”

“…The "smart factory" is the response to the highlighted challenge of the shipbuilding industry's low productivity, with an emphasis on the European as being projected oriented, with prevailing individual (prototype) production [1]. In addition, the European shipbuilding sector is, for the most part, present precisely in the market niches of highly complex types of new builds [2]. Such market orientation makes the industry more labor-intensive, with a high demand for a specially qualified workforce, and exposed to a large number of alternation requests from clients, which extends the already initially long project implementation deadlines [1].…”