More dynamic markets, shorter product life cycles and comprehensive variant management are challenges that dominate today's market. These maxims apply to the automotive sector, which is currently highly exposed to trade wars, changing mobility patterns and the emergence of new technologies and competitors. To meet these challenges, this thesis presents the creation of a digital twin of an existing production line of electric motors using discrete event simulation. Based on a detailed literature research, a step-by-step establishment of the simulation model of the production line using the software Plant Simulation is presented and argued. Finally, different experiments are carried out with the created model to show how a production line can be examined and optimized by means ofsimulation using different parameters. Within the scope of the different experiments regarding the number of workpiece carriers, number of operators as well as buffer sizes, the line was examined concerning the increase of the output. Furthermore, the simulation model was used to make decisions for future investments in additional XXX machines. Four different scenarios were examined and optimized. By examining the different parameters, optimization potentials of XXX% in the first scenario and up to XXX% in the fourth scenario were achieved. Finally, it was proven that the developed simulation model can be used as a tool for optimizing an existing production line and can generate useful investment information. Beyond that, the development of the simulation model can be employed to investigate further business questions at hand for the specific production line in question. / Mer dynamiska marknader, kortare produktlivscykler och omfattande varianthantering är utmaningar som dominerar dagens marknad. Dessa maximer gäller bilindustrin, som för närvarande är mycket utsatt för handelskrig, förändrade rörlighetsmönster och framväxten av ny teknik och nya konkurrenter. För att möta dessa utmaningar innebär denna avhandling skapandet av en digital tvilling av en befintlig produktionslinje av elmotorer med diskret händelsesimulering. Baserat på en detaljerad litteraturforskning presenteras och argumenteras en steg-för-steg-etablering av simuleringsmodellen för produktionslinjen med hjälp av programvaran Plant Simulation. Slutligen utförs olika experiment med den skapade modellen för att visa hur en produktionslinje kan undersökas och optimeras med hjälp av simulering med hjälp av olika parametrar. Inom ramen för de olika experimenten när det gäller antalet arbetsstyckesbärare, antalet operatörer samt buffertstorlekar undersöktes linjen om ökningen av produktionen. Dessutom användes simuleringsmodellen för att fatta beslut för framtida investeringar i ytterligare hårnålsmaskiner. Fyra olika scenarier undersöktes och optimerades. Genom att undersöka de olika parametrarna uppnåddes optimeringspotentialer på XXX % i det första scenariot och upp till XXX % i det fjärde scenariot. Slutligen bevisades det att den utvecklade simuleringsmodellen kan användas som ett verktyg för att optimera en befintlig produktionslinje och kan generera användbar investeringsinformation. Utöver detta kan utvecklingen av simuleringsmodellen användas för att undersöka ytterligare affärsfrågor till hands för den specifika produktionslinjen i fråga.

In the context of recent global disruptions, enhancing supply chain resilience has become critical for businesses. This thesis proposes a conceptual model for implementing a Digital Twin (DT) in the supplier selection process to enhance supply chain resilience. By integrating real-time monitoring, scenario testing, and collaborative platforms, the model addresses three main pillars of supply chain resilience: SC Visibility, SC Agility, and SC Collaboration. The research employs a systematic literature review for the identification of the three pillars and the development of the Supplier Management Digital Twin (SMDT) framework. The findings suggest that the DT can significantly improve supply chain visibility through continuous KPI monitoring, enhance agility by simulating disruption scenarios, and foster collaboration via shared data platforms. Additionally, a case study on the supplier selection process was conducted, through semi-structured interviews, that when applied through the SMDT framework showcased what factors in the supplier selection process that can be applied to a DT. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of DTs in Supply Chain Management and offers practical insights for managers seeking to enhance resilience to their supply chain. Future research could explore greater insights from DT experts and implementation through simulation models to further validate and expand the model's utility. / I samband med dagens globala störningar har förbättringen av leveranskedjans motståndskraft blivit mer kritiskt än någonsin för världens företag. Denna rapport föreslår en konceptuell modell för att implementera en Digital Tvilling (DT) i leverantörsvalprocessen för att stärka leveranskedjans motståndskraft. Genom att integrera realtidsövervakning, scenariotestning och samarbetsplattformar adresserar modellen tre grundpelare av leveranskedjans motståndskraft: Synlighet, Agilitet och Samarbete. Rapporten använder en systematisk litteraturstude för att identifiera de tre grundpelarna samt utveckla ett ramverk för en DT. Resultaten tyder på att en DT avsevärt kan förbättra leveranskedjans synlighet genom kontinuerlig KPI-övervakning, öka agiliteten genom att simulera scenarier av olika störningar och främja samarbetet via en delad plattform. Dessutom genomfördes en fallstudie av leverantörvalsprocessen genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer, vilket via en analys av Leverantörshanterings DT-ramverket visar vilka faktorer i leverantörvalsprocessen som kan tillämpas på en DT. Denna studie bidrar till den teoretiska kunskapen av DT:ar i leveranskedjehantering och erbjuder praktiska insikter för chefer som söker att öka motståndskraften i sin leveranskedja. Framtida forskning kan utforska djupare insikter från DT-experter och testa implementering genom simuleringsmodeller för att ytterligare validera och utöka modellens användbarhet.

As digital tools and technologies, such as AR, VR, Digital Twin, IoT and other interactive visualization technologies are being developed, new opportunities arise to use these to optimize the efficiency of operations, not least in the area of maintenance. One industry where maintenance is of utmost importance is the railway industry, where the goal of having a punctual, reliable and cost-effective railway traffic is dependent on the availability of maintained railway vehicles. The maintenance procedures of the vehicles are performed by technicians, working in depots to fix faults and service the vehicles. However, a lack of resources, poor coordination and information handling, and complex vehicles make the work and procedures of technicians cumbersome. The purpose of this thesis project was to investigate and give recommendations on how digital tools and technologies can facilitate the maintenance of railway vehicles. To do so, a qualitative study has been performed consisting of 12 interviews with technicians and depot staff. The purpose of the study was to understand their main challenges and time-consuming activities. Moreover, the potential use of digital tools and technologies to facilitate the identified challenges has been analyzed to establish recommendations on what tools and technologies can be used and how they should be used to aid technicians. The main challenges and time-consuming activities found include finding and accessing relevant information quickly and easily, understanding the information available, and collaborating with actors for support and expertise. The digital tools and technologies recommended consist of tablets to access information quick and easy, AR to visualize instructions and create an environment for remote support, AI to quickly search and filter information to enhance troubleshooting procedures, Digital Model to visualize vehicle configuration and link and structure information, and lastly, real-time data transfer utilizing eMaintenance technologies to faster receive information about the vehicle and its faults. The results of this thesis project can give direction for future research and the development and integration of digital tools and technologies to facilitate technicians in the maintenance of railway vehicles. / I takt med att digitala verktyg och tekniker såsom AR, VR, Digital Tvilling, IoT och andra interaktiva visualiseringsteknologier utvecklas uppstår nya möjligheter att använda dessa för att optimera effektiviteten inom verksamheter, inte minst inom området för underhåll. En bransch där underhåll är av största vikt är järnvägsbranschen, där målet att ha en punktlig, pålitlig och kostnadseffektiv järnvägstrafik är beroende av tillgången av underhållna spårfordon. Underhåll på fordon utförs av fordonstekniker som arbetar i depåer för att åtgärda fel och serva fordonen. Brist på resurser, dålig samordning och informationshantering samt komplexa fordon gör dock fordonsteknikernas arbete och rutiner besvärliga. Syftet med detta examensarbete var att undersöka och ge rekommendationer hur digitala verktyg och tekniker kan underlätta underhållet av spårfordon. För att uppnå det har en kvalitativ studie genomförts bestående av 12 intervjuer med fordonstekniker och depåpersonal. Syftet med studien var att förstå de största utmaningarna och tidskrävande aktiviteter de stöter på i sitt arbete. Vidare har potentiella användningsområden hos digitala verktyg och tekniker för att underlätta de identifierade utmaningarna analyserats för att fastställa rekommendationer om vilka verktyg och tekniker som kan användas och hur de bör användas för att hjälpa fordonsteknikerna. De främsta utmaningarna och tidskrävande aktiviteterna som hittats inkluderar att snabbt och enkelt hitta och komma åt relevant information, förstå tillgänglig information, samt samarbetet med aktörer för stöd och expertis. De digitala verktygen och teknikerna som rekommenderas består av surfplattor för att nå information snabbt och enkelt, AR för att visualisera instruktioner och skapa en miljö för fjärrsupport, AI för att snabbare söka och filtrera användbar information för att effektivisera felsökningsprocedurerna, Digital Modell för att visualisera fordonskonfiguration samt länka och strukturera information, och slutligen eMaintenance teknik för överföring av realtidsdata för att snabbare få information om fordonet och dess fel. Resultatet av detta examensarbete kan ge en riktning för framtida forskning, utveckling och integration av digitala verktyg och tekniker för att underlätta för fordonstekniker i underhållet av spårfordon.

The concept of a digital twin was originated by Nasa who used advanced simulation techniques during their first moon landing but has since evolved and the areas of application have broadened considerably. In recent years, the phenomenon has received a lot of attention in relation to the real estate industry in particular, which have been followed by plenty of research into digital twins within the informatics field. However, there is still a great lack of studies that focus on the supplier’s perspective of the implementation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the root causes of perceived challenges with digital twins from a supplier perspective by identifying what gives rise to problems and difficulties with the implementation of digital twins. This research contributes empirically by delving into the supplier's viewpoint, enhancing theoretical understanding through the identification of underlying causes, and practically by proposing ways to manage these foundational challenges effectively. The findings underscore the importance of addressing the knowledge gap between suppliers and clients early in the implementation process, recommending organizational and technical strategies to optimize digital twin utilization and management.

Thermomechanical processes such as hot rolling have been used in the industry for a long time to process and shape metals to a desired form with specific properties. However it can be difficult to make changes to the different process parameters. That's where it is beneficial to use a hot deformation simulator such as the Gleeble 3800-GTC. It can be used to test metals in a controlled environment where the deformation, temperature and other parameters are easily changed. When the machine uses a Hydrawedge module, it is able to simulate hot rolling using uniaxial compression at high temperatures. Swerim AB has one such machine and has requested to investigate what occurs inside a specimen during testing in the Gleeble, specifically inside two low-alloyed steels with a hardness between 400 and 500 HV. Such tests were replicated using LS-DYNA, an FE software. The goal was to acquire true stress-strain graphs that showed similar behaviour to the data from the Gleeble and plots of the effective plastic strain which could be correlated to the grain structure pattern inside the deformed cylinders. An FE-model was created which replicates the procedure. The model was verified through numerous steps. An initial mesh verification was done where the simulation time took at least 5 hours and at most 86 hours. Using a technique called mass scaling, the elements inside the model were manipulated using additional mass to increase their time step and reduce the computational time. A verification of the mass scaling was done where the computational time was weighed off against accuracy. Afterwards the friction had to be verified where it was found that the Gleeble test specimens were deformed more than necessary which was taken into account and the models were adjusted for friction verification. After all was said and done, the model had a reasonable friction coefficient with an optimal mesh and mass scaling configuration. The resulting model simulated a test of 0.5 seconds in 15 minutes and only costing at most 10 MPa in accuracy when experimental results have maximum values between 110 to 220 MPa depending on the scenario. This equals an approximate error of around 5-10%. When investigating the grain structure after 100 seconds of relaxation, the computational time amounted to 52 hours but could be reduced to 12 hours when simulating 30 seconds as there was no change in the effective plastic strain after that time. The final model has a high enough accuracy which, when combined with the Gleeble, is able to confirm material models and describe what occurs in the material during conditions akin to hot rolling.

The use of simulation programs in production environments is crucial due to the many advantages they offer, such as facilitating calculations of production capacity, cycle times, and optimal buffer sizes. These tools allow for the simulation of various scenarios and cost-effective testing of different strategies, making them invaluable for companies striving to improve production and performance.  The purpose of this work is to conduct a case study using FACTS Analyzer and then compare the results with another simulation software that supports 3D simulations. By conducting the same case study in both programs, we can draw conclusions about the factors companies should consider when acquiring simulation software. The data will be collected through qualitative methods such as observations and interviews, complemented by quantitative methods through experiments within the case study. The results show that FACTS Analyzer and the chosen program Plant Simulation serve different purposes but within similar areas. FACTS Analyzer offers a simple and effective 2D simulation experience that is particularly useful for students and companies planning production. On the other hand, Plant Simulation provides extensive capabilities to model everything from individual production lines to entire facilities in a clear 3D environment, making it easier for people without in-depth knowledge of the field to understand the simulations. In conclusion, the study shows that both programs can complement each other by offering unique capabilities in different domains, providing companies with a competitive advantage by optimizing their production and planning processes.

This thesis provides insights into the feasibility of managing product requirements in a concept leveraging an object-centric information model. The aim of this concept is to provide efective management of product requirements in the context of rising volume and complexity of requirements. Firstly, benefts and challenges between the current document-centric way of managing requirements and the novel object-centric concept for managing requirements are mapped and presented. Secondly, the organizational prerequisites necessary for adopting the object-centric product requirement applicability concept are explored and insights into how this transition can be facilitated with knowledge management are generated. Thirdly, the accuracy of this novel concept is evaluated in terms of applying the correct requirements onto products and not more nor less. The methods in this thesis are of mixed nature and combine qualitative and quantitative data sets. The quantitative data was collected from the analysis of the requirement applicability concept and the previous tests of the same concept on diferent products at Company X. The analysis of quantitative data for concept accuracy revolved around interpreting the nature of negative- and positive delta values following an automatic application of requirements in the novel object-centric concept. The former of these delta values relates to relevant requirements missing onto products whereas the latter relates to non-relevant requirements being applied following the automatic application. The qualitative data was collected mainly through a comprehensive literature review, semi-structured interviews, a workshop, meetings, Company X documents and observations. The analysis of qualitative data was done via an adaptation of two frameworks: The Multi-Dimensional Framework for Digital Transformation by Hanelt et al, 2021 and The Process of Organizational Knowledge Creation by Nonaka, 1994. These adapted frameworks were leveraged to generate insights into the necessary organizational prerequisites for adopting the object-centric product requirement applicability concept. While benefts and challenges exist between the two diferent ways of managing requirements, these are not weighted and thus no defnitive conclusion on best practice is drawn. Instead these fndings provide organizations a reference point for evaluating each approach in relation to their own circumstances. Some of the prerequisites identifed as critical for adopting an object-centric product requirement applicability model are a digital library of requirement specifcations that are convertible to object-centric data format, and a suitable PLM strategy chosen by the Top Management Teams that is aiding the development of the concept. As for knowledge management in order to transition to the new concept, fndings show that standardized knowledge creation and knowledge exchange is necessary as well as developing centralized knowledge databases. Lastly, the quantitative fndings indicate that the applicability concept is accurate, but that there is a need for additional iterations with model improvements where the negative delta can be eliminated and the positive delta held at an acceptable level. / Den här studien ger insikter om genomförbarheten av att hantera produktkrav i ett koncept som utnyttjar en objektcentrerad informationsmodell. Syftet med detta koncept är att tillhandahålla efektiv hantering av produktkrav i samband med att de ökar i volym samt komplexitet. Studien kartlägger först fördelar och utmaningar mellan det nuvarande dokumentcentrerade sättet att hantera krav och det nya objektcentrerade konceptet. Även de organisatoriska förutsättningar som krävs för att införa det objektcentrerade produktkravskonceptet undersöks i samband med hur denna övergång kan underlättas med hjälp av kunskapshantering. Slutligen så utvärderas det objektcentrerade konceptet för kravapplicering beträfande hur exakt konceptet är i att applicera rätt krav på produkter. Metodiken i denna studie kombinerar kvalitativa och kvantitativa datamängder. Den kvantitativa datan samlades in från analys av kravappliceringskonceptet samt de tidigare testerna av konceptet på olika produkter som gjorts av Företag X. Analysen av kvantitativ data för hur exakt konceptet är i att applicera rätt krav kretsar kring att förstå grundorsakerna till de negativa och positiva deltavärden som uppkommit efter en automatisk applicering av krav i det nya objektcentrerade konceptet. Det negativa deltavärdet relaterar till nödvändiga krav som saknas på produkter, medan det positiva deltavärdet avser icke-relevanta krav som har applicerats efter en systemförfrågan och automatisk applicering av krav. Den kvalitativa datan samlades huvudsakligen in genom en omfattande litteraturstudie, semistrukturerade intervjuer, workshops, möten, dokument från Företag X och observationer. Analysen av kvalitativ data gjordes via en anpassning av två vetenskapliga ramverk: The Multi-Dimensional Framework for Digital Transformation av Hanelt et al, 2021 och The Process of Organizational Knowledge Creation av Nonaka, 1994. Dessa anpassade ramverk utnyttjas för att generera insikter i de nödvändiga organisatoriska förutsättningarna som krävs för att införa det objektcentrerade kravappliceringskonceptet i en organisation. Fördelar och utmaningar med de två olika sätten att hantera krav viktades inte i denna studie, därför dras ingen defnitiv slutsats om bästa praxis. Istället ger dessa fynd en referenspunkt till organisationer att utvärdera bästa praxis i förhållande till sina egna omständigheter. Några av förutsättningarna identiferade som kritiska för att tillämpa en objektcentrerad produktkravappliceringsmodell är ett digitalt bibliotek av kravspecifkationer som är konverterbara till objektcentrerat dataformat, samt en PLM-strategi införd av de högsta ledningsgrupperna som hjälper till med stödja det objekcentrerade konceptet för produktkravsapplicering. Vad gäller kunskapshantering för att övergå till det nya konceptet visar resultaten att standardiserad kunskapsskapande och utbyte av kunskap är nödvändigt, samt utvecklingen av centraliserade kunskapsdatabaser. Slutligen indikerar de kvantitativa resultaten att tillämpningskonceptet är noggrant, men att ytterligare iterationer med modellförbättringar behövs där den negativa deltan kan elimineras och där den positiva deltan hålls på en acceptabel nivå.

Based on the description and definition of technology and processes falling within the vision of the fourth industrial revolution with the aim of creating intelligent factories, this diploma thesis deals with the principles of the Industry 4.0 concept in Hilti's production plant with a focus on transport and supply of production equipment. The aim of the work is to create a comprehensive proposal that takes into account all the necessary aspects associated with upgrading the existing state of inter-operational transport in a particular production line to fully automated, flexible and autonomous transport of materials and products in the context of Industry 4.0. A prerequisite for creating a design is the connection of automatically guided vehicles (AGVs) serving individual transport orders. The selection of the vehicle was made taking into account the safety of movement, the method of charging, the system and network integrity of existing and proposed technologies and components. The intention is not only to automate the inter-operational service, but also on the basis of the created automation concept, the ability to autonomously procure the flow of material and products. The mathematical calculation of capacity planning in the production line helped to determine the total load and the number of vehicles needed for continuous procurement of transport requirements. The result of the design part is also the design of specific transport routes and transport conditions that AGV vehicles must comply with in order to maintain a high level of safety. Transparency and a constant overview of transported products is provided by the presented scheme for identification of production batches, Auto-ID system. The financial efficiency of the whole project elaborated in the diploma thesis is evaluated as payable after 4 years from the implementation of the proposal. The financial efficiency of the whole project elaborated in the diploma thesis is evaluated as payable after 4 years from the implementation of the proposal due to high labor costs.

The aim of the diploma thesis is the robotization of a conventional milling machine to a CNC milling machine using a programmable logic controller. The theoretical part of the thesis contains a description of machine tools and industry 4.0, an overview of Optimum Maschinen and B&R Automation companies, including products, and a description of the G code programming language. At the beginning of the practical part, the selected hardware, its connection and tuning of motors are described. Furthermore, the practical part explains the method of motor control and processing of CNC programs in G code. The following chapters discuss the creation of industrial visualizations for machine control and digital twin for testing purposes. The conclusion describes the evaluation of the results and indicates the possibilities for future expansion of the machine and its implementation in an automated cell in the sense of industry 4.0.

The potential of Digital twin (DT) technology outside of the industrial field has been recognized by researchers who have promoted the vision of applying DTs technology beyond manufacturing, to purposes such as enhancing human well-being and improving quality of life (QoL). The expanded definition of DTs to incorporate living and nonliving physical entities into the definition of DTs was a key motivation behind the model introduced in this thesis for building health digital twins of citizens. In contrast with DTs that have been developed in more industrial fields, this type of digital twins modeling necessitates protecting each citizen's unique identity while also representing features common to all citizens in a unified way. In nature, DNA is an example of a model that is both unified, common to all humans, and unique, distinguishing each human as an individual. DNA’s architecture is what inspired us to propose a digital twin DNA (DT-DNA) model as the basis for building health DTs for citizens. A review of the literature shows that no unified model for citizens’ health has been developed that can act as a base for building digital twins of citizens while also protecting their unique identity thus we aim to fill this gap in this research. Accordingly, in this thesis, we proposed a DT-DNA model, which is specifically designed to protect the unique identity of each citizen’s digital twin, similar to what DNA does for each human. We also proposed a DT-DNA-based framework to build standardized health digital twins of citizens on micro, meso and macro levels using two ISO standards: ISO/IEEE 11073 (X73) and ISO 37120. To achieve our goal, we started by analyzing the biological DNA model and the influencing factors shaping health in smart cities. The purpose of the first is to highlight the DNA model features which provide the building blocks for our DT-DNA model. The purpose of the latter is to determine the main bases of our DT-DNA model of health DTs. Based on the analysis results; we proposed DT-DNA to model health DTs for citizens. In keeping with our DNA analogy, we have identified four bases, A, T, G, and C, for our unified and unique DT-DNA model. The A base in the proposed model represents a citizen’s anthropometric when we build the DT-DNA on an individual level and represents the city’s regulatory authorities when we build the DT-DNA on community and city levels. The T base represents different tasks included in the provided health data that are required to model citizens’ health DT-DNA on different levels. The G base represents the geographic and temporal information of the city, where the citizen exists at the time of data collection. The C base represents the context at the time of data collection. To proof the concept, we present our initial work on building health DTs for citizens in four case studies. The first two case studies are dedicated for health DTs at the micro level, the third case study is dedicated for health DTs at the meso level and the fourth case study is dedicated for health DTs at the macro level. In addition, we developed an algorithm to compare cities in terms of their community fitness and health services status. The four case studies provide promising results in terms of applicability of the proposed DT-DNA model and framework in handling the health data of citizens, communities and cities, collected through various sources, and presenting them in a standardized, unique model.