What is a digital twin?
A digital twin is a digital representation of a physical asset or process updated with data.
How it works and where it is used
Sensors on a factory machine can update a model with temperature and vibration to support maintenance. A static 3D rendering is not the same thing: measurement, state modeling and links to the real asset matter. Detail depends on purpose; reproducing all physical behavior is neither possible nor necessary.
Limits, safety and selection criteria
Faulty sensors, latency and bad assumptions reduce reliability. Define purpose, data ownership and validation before use. A successful simulation should not be treated as real-world proof without testing. A wind-turbine twin might compare vibration readings with past faults to plan maintenance. If sensors stop reporting, a display based on old data should not appear “live”; timestamps must be visible. Physical assumptions may fail under new operating conditions. Decision makers need uncertainty ranges and a clear statement of what the model does not cover. Building a twin means maintaining data quality and a response workflow, not just rendering an attractive dashboard. Test whether its recommendations improve real maintenance outcomes.