A Study on the Federation of Heterogeneous Simulations based on ISO 23247

A manufacturing site is comprised of diverse production lines, each consisting of several machines and processes. While digital twin research focusing on individual objects like machines or production lines is gaining traction for the implementation of smart manufacturing, it has limitations in addressing real-world problems that are complex and arise from diverse causes. This underscores the necessity for federated digital twin technology which is capable of integrating seamlessly and working harmoniously for numerous individual digital twins within a manufacturing site. This study introduces an architecture for heterogeneous simulation connection based on the ISO 23247 standard, aiming to establish a federated digital twin. Material flow within and between production lines, as well as among machines in factories, is observable through factory and logistics simulation models. Changes in working hours or conflicts with the surroundings within machines and processes embodying the production line are analyzable through machine and process simulation models. The scenario verification of this study demonstrates the feasibility of the design and operation of a federated digital twin by ISO standards, by connecting and correlating results from both factory/logistics simulation and machine/process simulation. This study anticipates broadening the application scope of digital twins across various levels within manufacturing sites and ensuring the adoption of standards-based, highly reliable digital twin technology.