Creating digital representations of factories offers real-world spin-offs

Using digital representations of factory systems in a so-called digital factory helps to reduce manufacturing costs, and serves as a testbed and a way of managing industrial information, says design and engineering software multinational Dassault Systèmes South Africa solutions consultant Jason Fagan. A digital factory enables engineers – based on highly detailed and accurate computer-aided design (CAD) schematics – to test, adjust, validate and improve many aspects of a product, including testing the use and experiences associated with the product or system. This includes, for example, testing routine maintenance work of an industrial machine in the conditions and confines of an end-user’s site.