| Abstract Scope |
The additive manufacturing (AM) workflow is a ductile entity, often varying depending on the design, the product, the process, the material, and the application. Information models and schemas have been developed that can provide structure to data and information throughout the workflow. The result has been a well-characterized outline of an AM digital thread. However, implementation-specific details are often missing from these characterizations, creating challenges in establishing part-specific workflows, or digital twins, necessary for product configuration management. While software vendors are increasingly filling this gap, a software-agnostic workflow has yet to be defined. This paper investigates the workflow of an AM part and establishes the fundamentals of a standardized configuration management approach to establishing a digital twin, including suitable formats; interoperability; versioning; digital rights and ownership. The result is a comprehensive outline for establishing a digital twin of an AM part. |