A review of digital twin intelligent assembly technology and application for complex mechanical products

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology Vol. 127; no. 9-10; pp. 4013 - 4033
• Main Authors: Tao, Chen, Chunhui, Li, Hui, Xiao, Zhiheng, Zhu, Guangyue, Wang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.08.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Assembly; CAE) and Design; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Critical Review; Data collection; Data integration; Digital twins; Engineering; Industrial and Production Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Media Management; Process planning; Digital twin; Intelligent assembly; Model construction; Model application; Complex mechanical product
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-023-11823-1

Digital twin (DT) technology has become an effective means of industrial digital transformation due to its ability to realize virtual-real mapping, data fusion, etc. In recent years, the application of DT technology to the assembly process of complex mechanical products in multiple fields can effectively overcome the drawbacks of the current assembly method, which is a new strategy for achieving high-precision and high-efficiency intelligent assembly. However, there are few reviews of DT’s intelligent assembly technology and application for complex mechanical products. Based on the composition of the DT assembly system, the paper systematically summarizes the critical technologies of DT assembly, including DT model representation of the assembly objects, DT model construction of the assembly process, and DT data collection/management. The application of the DT assembly model based on virtual and real fusion in online monitoring, quality prediction, process planning, real-time control, etc. is comprehensively reviewed. Finally, the challenges faced by DT intelligent assembly of complex mechanical products are described, and future research directions are predicted.