Utilising Digital Twins to Bolster the Sustainability of Logistics Processes in Industry 4.0

Abstract

Industry 4.0, characterized by the integration of advanced technologies, has allowed industries to optimise operations, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impact. Digitalization has become a cornerstone for achieving sustainability goals, and one of the key enablers of Industry 4.0 is the digital twin. The digital twin provides real-time insights and simulations to optimise processes. Organizations can thus optimise not only their operations but also contribute to a more resilient global supply chain. The aim of the paper is to present a comprehensive methodology for implementing the digital twin principle in the Tecnomatix environment. The Tecnomatix model is connected to Siemens PLC SIMATIC S7-1200 utilizing the OPC UA (Unified Architecture) method and through KEPServerEX, V6.14.263.0. The described approach enables continuous monitoring of critical indicators to optimise production efficiency and address downtime issues.