Design of a Digital Twin for Robot-Assembled Workpiece Transfer Station and Virtual Commissioning with It

Abstract

In this research, the design of a digital twin system for a Robot-Assembled Workpiece Transfer Station (RAWTS) and virtual commissioning with it were detailed, aiming for debugging high-repeatability, high-precision robotic motions. The system employs a structured three-layer digital twin framework, Physical, Digital, and Information Fusion layers, interconnected via an OPC UA communication architecture to enable real-time virtual-physical data synchronization. The 6-axis industrial robot’s kinematic model is established using the D-H parameter method, and the translational end-effector’s kinematic relationships are configured with defined OPEN/CLOSE poses. A behavior-driven digital twin model is constructed within NX MCD, incorporating lightweight-processed 3D geometry from SolidWorks. Virtual commissioning involves PLC and robot program integration, OPC UA-based signal mapping, and kinematic path planning with reachability validation to avoid singularities and collisions. Key joint angles at critical path points are optimized, and virtual-physical integration debugging is performed, resulting in first-attempt success in physical operation. The study demonstrates that the NX MCD-based digital twin approach effectively validates control logic, optimizes robot trajectories, reduces on-site debugging time, and enhances operational precision and safety, offering a practical reference for digital twin applications in robotic systems.