“The idea here is that if you’re running a simulation and you’re getting accurate inputs, and it is mimicking the behavior of a product in real life, in real time, you can then instrument that simulation model with taking measurements at different locations. You are going to be getting readings from that virtual sensor, which is where you’re taking measurements, and then you can actually use that to complement physical sensors.

ANSYS Twin Builder enables equipment operators to create a virtual representation – a digital twin – of machines that helps monitor performance and maintenance requirements, improving the machine’s sustainability and efficiency. At ANSYS 2019 R1, ANSYS Twin Builder supports digital twin runtime generation capabilities and model export for industrial internet of things platforms. The update empowers users to unlock actionable insights from field asset data through the use of physics and simulation-based analytics.

ABB Traction Motors initiated a new project, called NG Design Tool, to create an easy-to-use software tool that could predict the temperature in a traction motor during different operation conditions and duty cycles. The project was led by Dr. Shafigh Nategh, R&D senior engineer and project leader at ABB Traction Motors. Experts and students from Politecnico di Torino in Italy, Chalmers University of Technology, and The Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden were invited to tackle this challenge together.

“To be able to run projects with this level of engineering complexity, it is important to have the right tool partners. In ABB Traction Motors, we work with reliable tool suppliers supporting us to provide better service for our customers. We are happy that we have COMSOL on board in this project’’, says Dr. Shafigh Nategh. “Multiphysics simulation allows us to explore how different components work together; not to mention the ability to turn a high-fidelity model into a digital twin or simulation application.”