Enabling Legacy Lab-Scale Production Systems: A Digital Twin Approach at Széchenyi István University

The burgeoning importance of digitalization and cyber-physical manufacturing systems in the industrial sector is undeniable, yet discussions around viable solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises remain scant. These enterprises often face constraints in replacing extant machinery or implementing extensive IT upgrades, despite the availability of skilled engineering personnel. In response to this gap, an illustrative use case involving the application of Digital Twins (DT) to legacy systems is delineated, encompassing a detailed exploration of necessary hardware and software components, alongside pertinent considerations for implementation design. The establishment of a symbiotic relationship between the physical and digital realms is underscored as imperative, necessitating a granular understanding of the system to uncover opportunities and constraints for intervention. Such understanding is posited as a critical determinant of the DT's utility. This case study, situated within the Cyber-Physical Manufacturing Systems Laboratory at Széchenyi István University, serves to elucidate these principles and contribute to the discourse on smart manufacturing solutions for legacy systems.