Getting to know the technology

Digital Twin – the heart of Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 promises to create value through the cross-manufacturer exchange of information with industry-neutral standards for communication, services and semantics.

The most important tool for meeting this requirement is the Digital Twin, the data image of an asset. An asset is an object that is to be integrated into the information world of Industry 4.0. There is a large range of possible assets – from machines and their components, supply materials, products and software to documents such as plans, contracts or purchase/service orders.

According to the approach taken by IDTA, the Digital Twin is, in contrast to frequently chosen illustrations, not primarily a realistic virtual image of the object under consideration. In terms of effect, it is quite similar to a USB connector that works in multiple applications irrespective of manufacturer because its standard is defined.

Greater digital value creation

The Digital Twin contains all the information that defines the characteristics and behaviour of an asset. The Asset Administration Shell (AAS) designed by IDTA implements this Digital Twin for Industry 4.0. Thanks to its full interoperability, the AAS paves the way for greater digital value creation. It simplifies data management for non-intelligent and intelligent devices alike. The AAS maps the entire life cycle of products, devices, machines and plants.

Submodels of the AAS

The AAS consists of a series of submodels that describe all the data and functions of a particular asset – such as characteristics, properties, states, parameters, measurement data and capabilities. The AAS makes it possible to use different communication channels and applications and connects objects to the networked, digital and decentralised world.

A model for the future

Simple communication and production The AAS allows a cross-manufacturer exchange of information with industry-neutral standards.

Greater digital value creation

Simple data management for all types of devices improves digital value creation.

Complete representation

The AAS accompanies the entire life cycle of devices, machines and plants.

Digital Twin Awareness by IDTA and U4

The Industrial Digital Twin Association and University4Industry offer unique, pre-competitive training programs covering basic knowledge and understanding about digital twins and their concrete implementation.

Awareness Training

Target group: Leaders with an interest in developing a basic understanding of the digital twin and asset administration shell.

Implementation Training

Target groups: Developers who would like to start implementing the digital twin.

Flyer for more information

Registration and more information on the website of University4Industry

Contact

For all other questions about training, including company-specific programmes, please contact us directly – we will be happy to show you the possibilities.

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Open Source

The easy way to get started with your own Asset Administration Shell. Open source software provides you with a quick and easy way to create your own AAS or install your own server with your AAS. With the AASX Package Explorer you get a powerful editor for the AAS.

AASX Package Explorer

The AASX Package Explorer is a viewer and editor for AAS, which is intended to support users, especially for their first steps. The tool enables the use of various plugins such as the Web Version of the Package Explorer or a Nameplate Viewer.

Eclipse Digital Twin: https://projects.eclipse.org/projects/dt

GitHub: https://github.com/eclipse-aaspe/aaspe

AASX Server

The AASX Server is a runtime environment which loads AASX files, executes them, and makes them accessible via the API with HTTP/REST. It is also possible to connect the Package Explorer with the Server, so the AASX files can be exchanged, created, updated, and deleted among both.

Eclipse Digital Twin: https://projects.eclipse.org/projects/dt

GitHub: https://github.com/eclipse-aaspe/aasx-server

Docker Images: https://hub.docker.com/u/adminshellio

AAS Test Engine

This tool offers measures to validate compliance of AAS implementations against the AAS standard.

GitHub: https://github.com/admin-shell-io/aas-test-engines

Certification Portal: https://certification.admin-shell-io.com

The following Example AASX Servers provide visualization of some industrial sample AAS and a way to access them via REST API.

Default server with no security and registry:

Server: https://v3.admin-shell-io.com
REST APIs/Swagger: https://v3.admin-shell-io.com/swagger/index.html

Server with registry but no security:

Server: https://v3-2.admin-shell-io.com
REST APIs/Swagger: https://v3-2.admin-shell-io.com/swagger/index.html

Server with security:

Server: https://v3security.admin-shell-io.com
REST APIs/Swagger: https://v3security.admin-shell-io.com/swagger/index.html
OpenID Authentication Server: https://admin-shell-io.com/50001/.well-known/openid-configuration