Digital Twin: The doorway to smart manufacturing

By OEM Update Editorial March 12, 2024 6:53 pm IST

In changing times of rapid technological adoption, Kennametal pioneers a transformative approach in manufacturing – the “Digital Twin.” Karthik Raman, Product Management – India, Kennametal, discusses how this innovative end-to-end solution empowers customers to visualise, optimise, and elevate machining processes, ensuring efficiency and precision from virtual planning to real-world execution.

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We live in a fast-paced world. In our rapidly evolving society, the swift adoption of new technologies is more prevalent than ever. A significant shift is underway in manufacturing, particularly in the production of individual components. This transformation is driven by the widespread utilisation of cloud-based, interconnected data platforms that facilitate large-scale transactions, interactions, and connections across numerous data sources.

These platforms also unify data from multiple standalone sources and present a comprehensive view to support real-time decision-making—today, more commonly called Data-Driven Decisions (DDD).

Customers’ machining requirements are also evolving. These can range from machining a complex 5-axis part with a high machinability index and tight tolerances to prioritising the optimization of machining strategies to streamline processes, drive productivity, control costs, and reduce waste.

To address customers’ machining challenges, Kennametal employs an innovative, end-to-end, solution-oriented strategy known as the “Digital Twin.”

Digital Twin is a blueprint for smart machining

A ‘digital twin’ is a virtual model designed to represent a physical object or product accurately and precisely. In this case, it can be tested and validated before it is put into production and the market. A digital twin allows engineers and process planners to identify failures before the part goes into production. Complex multi-axis machines require a deep knowledge and understanding of fixtures, cutting tools and processes, and programming.

Kennametal’s digital twin solution helps customers visualise the complete machining operation in a virtual setting with the right process parameters so that issues or adjustments can be addressed in the planning stages rather than later, potentially halting operations. Digital twin replicas also help translate machining results to performance by allowing for a precise estimation of chipping loss, cycle time, and executable NC codes. The bottom line is that better decisions are made on the shop floor.

With Kennametal and its blueprint for smart machining, customers can create custom tool path simulations and access the latest CNC programs for metal cutting tools and machining strategies while continuing to deliver proven machining and manufacturing solutions.

Kennametal can help take your manufacturing to the next level.

 For more information, contact a Kennametal Authorised Channel Partner or Application Specialist or email k-india-communication@kennametal.com. 

Expertise shared by – Karthik Raman, Product Management – India, Kennametal.