Substantiating and Implementing Concept of Digital Twins for Virtual Commissioning of Industrial Mechatronic Complexes Exemplified by Rolling Mill Coilers

Implementing digital technologies and twins (DT) in operating industrial units is one of the key problems smart production. Metallurgical plants require a solution to implement rolling mill retrofitting. A conceptual approach virtual configuration mechatronic complexes based on object-oriented twins-prototypes twins-instances electromechanical hydraulic systems justified. Alternative options for commissioning (VC) were considered, Hardware-In-The-Loop (HIL) option was adopted, involving implementation DTs hardware software programmable logic controller (PLC). Virtual models built, control algorithms tested Matlab Simulink software; prospect using Simscape domains noted. The paper’s contribution description methodology development DTs, interlinked process, exemplified by coiler. results over ‘virtual reeling’ mode are provided; adequacy real processes confirmed. problem developing coiler group, solved herein, fragment large-scale scientific practical DTAs (digital twin aggregates) interconnected complexes. developed VC proposed recommended commercial various units. Developing frameworks multi-domain DTE (Digital Twin Environment) applications shown as prospects future research.