Improving Supply Chain and Manufacturing Process in Wind Turbine Tower Industry Through Digital Twins

Abstract

Renewable energies have gained prominence due to global warming and the need to reduce the use of fossil fuels. One of the energy sources that nature offers is wind, the advantages of which are widely known. In this research, a conceptual framework is presented with the aim of maximizing the performance of the wind tower production process in a real factory. This conceptual framework is divided into three levels: physical level, logical level of processes, and plant logic level. The development of each of these levels is supported by Lean Manufacturing techniques. In addition, due to the uncertainty caused by the variability and complexity of the process, the implementation of each level will be directly based on a digital twin. This digital twin will be used to simulate different situations prior to implementing them in the factory. This conceptual framework will provide new planning and sequencing methodologies and algorithms for the dynamic design of layouts in the production processes of large pieces.