Digital
Twin
UX RESEARCH | UXD | SIEMENS RDA
This project was a part of my summer internship at Siemens RDA ( May-July 2021)
Type: Individual Project. Guided by: Mr.Ramesh Manickam
The initial weeks were spent in deep diving into concepts such as experience, interaction and validated minimalism. Subsequently, Siemens portfolio was explored, potential improvement areas were identified and multiple solutions were explored.
The outcome was a Product lifecycle management dashboard, inspired by the concept of Digital twin, which integrates multiple back end processes into a single front end for seamless interaction by the user.
GO TO:
OVERVIEW
EXPERIENCE
INTELLIGENT
SYSTEM
How would a system be intelligent? OR what is an intelligent system?
In my understanding, it can be a layer of intelligence between a human and his environment. This layer can sense and take in data from the environment and communicate that to the human. It can also take inputs from the human and act accordingly--bringing about changes in the environment.
VALIDATION
Validation is the action of declaring something acceptable/ or giving affirmation to the scenario, in a general sense.
How this translates to design is simply when a product works for the end user as intended. While thinking about this the questions that arise can be seen as two different sets. Certain questions will verify the product while certain questions will be for validating.
DESIGN
VALIDATION
How this translates to design is simply when a product works for the end user as intended. While thinking about this the questions that arise can be seen as two different sets. Certain questions will verify the product while certain questions will be for validating.
VALIDATION
Vs VERIFICATION
Verification happens when the product function is built to meet the need--features to meet needs.
Validation happens when the user can see, use and is convinced that the product is working to meet his need and is also satisfying the need.
MINIMALISM
Minimalism is simplicity with a purpose, minimalism is simplicity with a purpose. Much like this presentation where I have eliminated the use of jarring colours and designs, the purpose being emphasising the content with less distractions
The purpose behind a design being minimal should be less distractions--read out --effective communication
INTERACTION
Dissecting stages of an Interaction
MINIMALISM IN EXPERIENCES
In order to understand how to create a validated and minimal interaction, I looked at how an interaction spans out and the factors involved; Which led me to define certain principles that can be put to use to create a validated minimal interaction, as follows:
SIEMENS XCELERATOR
Xcelerator is an umbrella term used to denote all the digital transformation and software offerings by Siemens.
The range of offerings under Xcelerator is extensive so I had to map it out in order to understand how it works. The lower half has some of the software solutions, these ar web-based, the internal work or programming/coding happens on mendix and it is deployed into the cloud by mindsphere. They are offered as SAAS,Public or private cloud or On Premises.
NEED
A concept to aid access, affordability and use of complex software tools, like the range under Xcelerator by MSMEs
PROBLEMS
GAP
INTENT
DIGITAL MANUFACTURING
Since I had SMEs or manufacturing players and software solutions on my plate, I studied digital manufacturing and how it works.
Digital Manufacturing can be classified as product life cycle, smart factory, and Value chain management.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Digital manufacturing is a part of the digital transformation of an organisation. In Todays day and time, digital transformation is not limited to just the product and design, but significantly impacts the way products are manufactured, assembled, delivered and maintained; which in-turn reflects in high value generation for the organisation.
Source: Azure Microsoft study on Digital Twin
DIGITAL MANUFACTURING
BRIEF
SCENARIO
PERSONA
USER
JOURNEY
PAIN
POINTS
RE-BRIEF
CONCEPTS
The 2nd and 3rd concepts, tiles based and digital twin for an organisation concepts were combined for my final concept. A system which provides suggestive tiles as per the nature of requirement and to represent the PLM virtually, inspired from the concept of DIGITAL TWIN
DIGITAL
TWIN
DIGITAL
TWIN OF AN ORGANISATION
SIEMENS XCELERATOR TOOLS
Following are some of Interfaces of the tools used in PLM.
NX is the design tool, Opcenter is for manufacturing and Teamcenter does quality testing and operations.
Data sharing between them come with various concerns, for instance, the output from NX goes as a simulation report which then has to be read and analysed by the manager.
This is the case with most of the tools, the project manager has to individually access them and interpret data.
CURRENT
WORKFLOW
GOAL
The current workflow looks like this, where the backend has different tools involved at different stages that are not sequential or progressive in order.
CONCEPT
WORKFLOW
The final concept has an intelligent layer coming in between the backend and front end. The visualisation of this intelligent layer is in the form of a digital twin of the organisation.
The User need not be concerned about the backend screens and data exchange between them, the intelligent layer lets them visualise, understand, simulate, manipulate and most importantly validate back end data.
WIREFRAMING
While making wireframes, keywords like minimal visualisation, low mental cost and validation at every step was kept in mind. Clean style for the interface with monotone and accent colour palette.
PROTOTYPE
Navigation Menu
Home: dynamic dashboard
Projects: Current POs
Toolmap: Listed Tools in use
Search Bar
Military Time
User Name
Designation in the organisation
Organisation Name
Product Code
Progress %
Digital Twin of the product
in each stage of PLM
Stages of PLM
Quick access responsive bar
Stats, Calendar, share, settings, account
Progress Tracking
At each stage of PLM
Overall Progress bar
across PLM
Verification status by
User highlight in Blue
AI in Cyan
Shortcut to Tool access
PRODUCT DIGITAL TWIN
COMPANY PORTFOLIO
The Landing screen has digital representations of all the products manufactured by the SME
On Choosing a particular Purchase Product Type, the PLM for the PO specific to that product opens up
Left Side dedicated to PLM and verification by Human
Right side dedicated to System suggestions and verification
Digital Twin of Production: Assembly Line
DT of the product is tested for compatibility and optimum order of assembly line.
Digital Twin of Product: Material Selection
System Suggests materials and composition based on PO requirements
Digital Twin of Product: Coating finish Simulation
System Suggests most suitable coating options, along with % of its match with the Purchase Order
Digital Twin of Product: Simulation Based Testing
System simulates various testing parameters on the Digital Twin of the product, with chosen material, coating and dimensions
Digital Twin of Production: Compatibility with Product
DT of Product is checked for compatibility with the machine line up at each stage of manufacturing
Digital Twin of Operations
Costing estimate by the system is provided, User is given options to simulate and test material composition alterations, coating substitutes, design changes to match the desired cost.
1st stage of design drawing: Flat dimension sketch.
User can verify against Purchase Order Details and/or connect to the Tool Management team in case of discrepancies
FONT
COMBINATIONS
Digital Twin Simulations at various Stages of Product Lifecycle Management. Click to Open.
COLOURS
F9F9F9
D5D5D5
65E8BE
4C504E
SCOPE
CHALLENGES
LEARNING
Prototype Flow