Digital Twins in Industry 4.0
Degree
Master of Science in Computer Science
Department
Department of Computer Science
School
School of Mathematics and Computer Science (SMCS)
Date of Submission
Spring 2025
Supervisor
Dr. Imran Khan, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
Keywords
Digital Twin, Industry 4.0, Robotic Arm Simulation, Godot, CODESYS, Open-Source Automation, Real-Time Co-Simulation, PLC Programming, Cyber-Physical Systems, Industrial Prototyping
Abstract
Digital Twin (DT) technologies are central to the industry 4.0 revolution, offering realtime simulation, monitoring, and optimization of physical systems. However, their adoption is often hindered by high costs and proprietary constraints. This project proposes a cost-effective, open-source alternative by integrating Godot; a lightweight 3D game engine with CODESYS, a widely used PLC development environment. The resulting prototype models an articulated robotic arm capable of real-time motion control, sensor integration, and synchronized simulation with a virtual conveyor system. Importantly, the platform now operates as a bi-directional digital twin, where changes applied to the physical robotic arm are instantly mirrored in the simulation, and simulation-side adjustments are propagated back to the physical system in real time. Targeted toward SMEs, educational institutions, and research labs, the system enables safe experimentation, training, and procurement evaluation without reliance on physical hardware. This scalable, modular platform demonstrates that industrial-grade digital twins can be developed with minimal overhead, fostering broader access to Industry 4.0 innovation.
Document Type
Restricted Access
Submission Type
Research Project
Recommended Citation
Khan, Maddlaaj. "Digital Twins in Industry 4.0." Unpublished graduate research project. Institute of Business Administration. 2025. https://ir.iba.edu.pk/research-projects-mscs/67
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