Competence Center "Digital Twin" initiated at the MCI

With the support of the state of Tyrol, a "Digital Twin Lab" has been recently established at the Entrepreneurial School®. This lab supports Tyrolean companies in strengthening and expanding competencies in the field of overall machine simulation, thereby accelerating development processes and making them more effective. The MCI contributes its internationally recognized expertise in product development processes, especially in the field of mechatronics and automation.  In concrete terms, the Digital Twin Lab at the MCI will make it possible to eliminate time-consuming testing in the development of working machines and thus drastically shorten market-entry time. Thus, it is not only the associated cost savings, which the lab contributes to, but also the higher speed with which the company can react proactively to market demands.
 
The first successes can already be observed: Two internationally successful companies, Liebherr and Prinoth have now joined the project. Caterpillars from Lieberherr's plant in Telfs and snow groomers from Prinoth in the Leitner Group, based in Sterzing and Telfs, are being tested, further developed and optimized.

Background:
"Digital Twins" is about the virtual imaging and optimization of mobile machines. Using numerical simulation and empirical results, very meaningful simulative images of real-life complex devices can be generated on the computer and the operating situations adjusted. In this manner, knowledge about the behavior, possible weaknesses and optimization requirements of the machines in real-life operation can be gained very early on in the development process and transferred to the concepts. The goal is faster and more valid product development, which has a positive effect on the international competitiveness of companies.
 
Statements:
 
"The new competence center sets a milestone in supporting local mechanical engineering companies with regard to innovation, securing the location and product development," emphasizes Tyrolean Minister of Economic Affairs, Patrizia Zoller-Frischauf. "On behalf of the State of Tyrol, we are pleased to be able to provide the local industrial companies with a competent partner for research and development in the form of the MCI."
 
Ulrich Hammerle, Technical Managing Director Liebherr-Werk Telfs GmbH: "LIEBHERR Werk Telfs GmbH sees the 'Digital Twin Lab' as a center of competence that is unique worldwide in its composition. The virtual simulation of industrially used off-road tracked vehicles will be examined thematically. The simulation-capable mapping of all machine functions opens up a wide range of possibilities. Examples of this are the efficiency or function improvement of our machines, but also the targeted development of assistance and automation systems too".

 
Martin Kirchmair, Head of Research & Development for snow groomers at Prinoth: "For PRINOTH, the competence center represents a great opportunity to make our product development even more efficient and better in the future. The goal is to use the Digital Twin to simulate and optimize our products on the computer and thus be prepared for new challenges such as autonomous functions and the reduction of "market-entry time".
 
Michael Kraxner, Head of Research & Development at MCI, is pleased about the positive synergies:

"We are complementing and deepening existing research fields for and together with local industrial companies. A classic win-win situation for all involved".

Mechatronics program director Andreas Mehrle adds: "It's great that we can use our expertise to contribute to the innovativeness and competitiveness of companies. The winners are not only the companies, but also our students".