A method for mapping novel product groups in AutomationML as the first step for creating their virtual twin

The digital twin (DT) is used as a tool for digital verification of the phases of construction as well as a bidirectional connection between the product and the digital dependent in the production phase. It can be used to predict and control the behavior of a product during virtual commissioning. Due to the increasing number of product variants, the complexity of the necessary data structure is rising. A product configurator can be used to master the data structure. The product configurator creates digital product twins (DPT) of components. To implement cross-project product components consistently, a generic product component template is required. This paper presents a method for creating such models. The model of the product components is based on two modeling approaches that are applied in AutomationML (AML). Finally, the model is verified in a concrete application.