Systematization of Virtual Product Twin Models in the Context of Smart Product Reconfiguration during the Product Use Phase

Drastic changes of traditional products towards intelligent, connected Smart Product Service Systems lead to the necessity for a fundamental adaption and enhancement of traditional Product Lifecycle Management approaches. Our previous works revealed that lifecycle management approaches for Smart Products especially have to extend their focus on the product use phase. Here, the provision of suitable methods and IT tools for the reconfiguration of Smart Products was identified as a core challenge. As an approach virtual product twins were introduced for the permanent, individual management of product instances and the synchronization between initial virtual product models and product lifecycle data. This contribution introduces a methodical approach for the systematization of virtual product twin models, considering the dynamical changes of virtual and physical product instances, e.g. as a result of reconfiguration. It was implemented prototypically by modeling a virtual twin-based reconfiguration approach allowing temporary reconfigurations of Smart Products during their use phase.