The aerospace industry is undergoing major transformation, and at Airbus, we are on the forefront of innovation from design, manufacturing to operation. The key catalyst for this evolution is Digital Twin Technologyrevolutionizing the way aircraft are pregnant, built and maintained. but What are digital twins?and how are they shaping the future of flights?
As the aerospace industry grows to meet global demand, Airbus accepts Digital First Strategy across all aspects of our business. This commitment extends to the design, manufacture and operation of current and future portfolios of aviation products. Our goal is to accelerate product development, improve environmental performance and increase safety standards.
What are digital twins?
The heart of this vision is digital twins. The digital twin is more than just a digital model. A dynamic, living virtual replica of a physical object, process, or system. This sophisticated technology integrates data from design, production and in-service operations, reflecting real-world counterparts continuously, in real time.
By leveraging the power of advanced analytics, simulation and artificial intelligence, Digital Twin enables Airbus teams to optimize processes at every stage of the product lifecycle. From early design and manufacturing to continuous operation and predictive maintenance, digital twin technology transforms aerospace.
A data-driven approach at every stage of product development
A data-driven approach is implemented in all Airbus divisions. From the Eurodrone and Future Combat Air System (FCAS) in Airbus Defense and Space to the groundbreaking programme of Airbus Helicopters, commercial aircraft business with the A320 and A350 families. Digital Twinning It makes a difference.
Our team is working towards “end-to-end digitalization” and is changing the way we work. This allows for easy access to all information about the aircraft, its production and maintenance systems in digital form, using detailed 3D models and accurate descriptions of their functions and behavior. Fully digitalised requires a unified approach to digital architecture, leveraging secure and reliable platforms such as Dassault Systèmes' 3Dxperience and SAP.
Designed with unprecedented confidence
In the early stages of product development, Digital twins It's a game changer. Engineering teams use physics-based models to enable them to simulate aircraft behavior in a number of real-world scenarios. This feature significantly reduces the need for physical prototypes, and enhances time to market and validation of design accuracy and performance. For example, in the A320 family “Version Head” (the first aircraft in the series with the same specifications as a particular customer), the use of 3D data as master and automation significantly reduces quality issues and reduces design and production lead times.
Digital twins It also plays an important role in the design of industrial tools. You can accurately optimize operations by creating virtual representations of future production lines and simulating product flow. A major example is the renovation of the former Jean-Luc Lagardère A380 building for the new A321 assembly line. Detailed industrial flow simulation and 3D modeling were essential here.
Smarter and more agile manufacturing
Digital Twin The model is revolutionizing the production system. By simulating tools, robots, workflows, and supply chains, you can predict how your design will work under a variety of conditions, increase efficiency, and minimize documenting. They also use connected devices such as tablets and smart glasses to provide virtual training before operators step into the field.
In our factory, industry Digital twins Use machine data to monitor logistics flows and production processes and predict maintenance needs. Hamburg's Hanger 9 and Marinuan helicopter gearbox production lines automatically track production progress in real time and compare it with theoretical plans. At the Saneroy factory in Toulouse, excavator and milling material data helps detect high-quality deviations, predict failures, and actively detect maintenance. Illescas allows you to identify quality issues with composite drape stations using monitoring parameters such as speed, pressure, temperature, and humidity.
Predictive maintenance to enhance operation
The power of Digital twins It goes far beyond the factory floors. When an aircraft is used, Digital Twin It continues to evolve and offers invaluable insights for maintenance and operation. More than 12,000 aircraft are connected today Skywise Platformreal-time data from sensors across the aircraft feeds virtual twins.
This data-driven information enables over 50,000 users worldwide to develop models that predict wear, optimize maintenance schedules, reduce downtime and extend component life. This proactive approach to fleet management improves availability, safety and customer satisfaction throughout the aircraft's lifecycle. So, What is a digital twin?Future role?
Shaping the future of aerospace with digital twins
Digital twins It is the foundation of our digital transformation and enables Airbus to deliver more innovative, sustainable, and high-performance solutions at an unprecedented pace. From the early design concepts to the final flight, we effectively build each aircraft twice. First is the digital world, then the actual aircraft. This is power Digital Twin Technologyand it shapes the future of aerospace.
