Digital Twin: Multi-dimensional Model Reduction Method for Performance Optimization of the Virtual Entity

Abstract Digital Twin (DT) is an emerging technology that allows manufacturers to simulate and predict states of complex machine systems during operation. This requires that the physical machine state is integrated in a virtual entity, instantaneously. However, if the virtual entity uses computationally demanding models like physics-based finite element models or data driven prediction models, the virtual entity may become asynchronous with its physical entity. This creates an increasing lag between the twins, reducing the effectiveness of the virtual entity. Therefore, in this article, a model reduction method is described for a graph-based representation of multi-dimensional DT model based on spectral clustering and graph centrality metric. This method identifies and optimizes high-importance variables from computationally demanding models to minimize the total number of variables required for improving the performance of the DT.