Visually intuitive, a CLIK 3D assembly is a virtual representation of a real-world product. It contains manufacturing information on all its components, such as specs and geometry, for a variety of uses, such as installation instructions for the shop floor, or part’s replacement at a repair shop. As such, it is not a simple display, but a “digital-twin” of the real asset.
A digital twin is a digital replica of a physical entity entities. Product data is integrated seamlessly, allowing the virtual entity to exist simultaneously with the physical entity.
Certusoft began creating a 3D digital twin for a truck OEM in 2018. Beginning with one truck model, digital twins are now generated for all models produced by this truck OEM and a large builder of truck bodies. The 3D digital twin of chassis and body provides the foundation for capturing and projecting all life cycle performance of the real vehicle.
Chassis OEM and body builders collaborate to create the “to be built” configuration. This is a bi-directional chassis to/from body and equipment configuration to fulfill a customer’s specific vocational requirement (e.g. refrigerated food delivery). During the sales process, the “to be built” model is first used to create a price quote for the work truck proposals. It is used in engineering for performing any custom design activities needed to meet the customer requirements. Lastly, the “to be built” model is used in the assembly plant to simplify assembly instructions and ensure product quality. Instead of looking at lists of part number and trying to figure out how they are installed, the plant workers can visually see, at a glance, what they need to install along with the parts orientation to the rest of the truck.
Upon body and equipment install on the chassis, the completed product is the complete work truck ready to be delivered and put into service. This 3D model now transitions to the “as built” configuration. This model includes all required information for operations, such as weight rating and center of gravity. The digital twin is now ready to accept and manage the total cost of ownership data as provided by key industry aftermarket programs.
When the truck arrives at a dealer for service, the technician has immediate access to the digital twin service history and something far better than the typical parts catalogs, the actual “as built” 3D model of the complete work truck (body on chassis). Parts identification no longer requires searches involving VIN numbers and bill of material numbers. It is now possible to simply touch the part on the model that needs to be examined/replaced and the “as built” model provides the actual part number.
By Fred Kimball, VP of Business Development