Predictive Digital Twin Supports Disruptive Business Model

Lanner, a company of Royal HaskoningDHV, provides the predictive simulation capability for the Smart Manufacturing Accelerator (SMA) Factory-in-a-Box (FIAB), an innovative project which sees industrial technologies used together to create a rapidly deployable manufacturing supply chain solution.

Real-time data from sensors and systems throughout the manufacturing process is injected into a digital twin through the GE Predix IoT platform and used to create an ‘as-is’ state from which simulated scenarios can be run. These simulations can project when throughput will be achieved, determine effective predictive maintenance policies and optimise production in response to exceptions within the process.

On March 13, Lanner participated in the official launch of the Smart Manufacturing Accelerator Factory-in-a-Box demonstration, hosted by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). Various thought leaders and partners from the industrial ecosystem shared  their vision about  how digital technologies can improve the way we do business.

During the event Brian Reilly, Lanner Business Development, explained how predictive simulation capabilities have provided the project with a digital twin which operates at the heart of the Factory-in-a-Box.

Andrew Aitken, Chief Operating Officer for Lanner, presented how Lanner’s technological and consultative expertise in  digital twin and predictive simulation technology can help businesses optimise their manufacturing processes and supply chains.

Commenting on the project, Andrew Aitken said:

“For over 20 years Lanner’s customers have been developing predictive digital twins and using simulation technology to solve their complex business challenges and benefit from foresight of their decision outcomes. The FIAB project provides an ideal environment to prove how integrating WITNESS with other leading Industry 4.0 technologies can bring even more benefits to manufacturing organisations. Lanner are excited to be involved in FIAB and see many applications for a mobile, scalable manufacturing solution, that takes advantage of the latest Industry 4.0 technologies.

Andrew Aitken, COO, Lanner a company of Royal HaskoningDHV

The digital twin delivers from production planning to optimised operations

Lanner supported the project with its flagship WITNESS software, which was used to model a process level digital twin of the FIAB. The predictive simulation and analytics capability provided insight into the production plans before parts began the manufacturing process.

In addition, by integrating the digital twin with Lanner’s  WITNESS.io cloud service and GE’s Predix IoT platform, FIAB has been able to respond to issues while optimising future production plans as exceptions arise.

The FIAB launch comes at a time when the combined expertise of Royal HaskoningDHV Smart Solutions and Lanner's digital twin technology, demonstrates the value of IoT technologies to maximise value and create smart solutions across industry sectors.

“Within Royal HaskoningDHV, we have over 135 years of experience in design and managing physical assets. The recently acquired capabilities of Lanner, allows us to deliver data-driven and technology-based solutions to future-proof your assets, operational processes and supply chain. Through Lanner, Royal HaskoningDHV is proud to be a part of the FIAB project and develop and deploy technologies that shape the future of manufacturing and the supply chain. This experience will support us in further delivering value to our clients, combining our knowledge with advanced data modelling, predictive simulation and IoT capabilities and technologies. This results in solutions that provide insights for fact-based investment decisions, improvement areas for operational efficiencies while ensuring compliance.”

Bart Brink, Global Business Director Smart Solutions, Royal HaskoningDHV