Digital Twins in Manufacturing: A Three-layer Heat-map Analysis

This paper explores the landscape of Digital Twins (DTs) in smart and sustainable manufacturing through a systematic literature review. In particular, the paper aims to identify the widespread trends and intersections of Digital Twin (DT) applications, maturity levels, and sustainability dimensions, by means of a three-layer heat-map chart. Observations indicate a concentration of DT applications in the production side of manufacturing, with notable impacts on economic and environmental sustainability. However, major deficiencies in addressing social sustainability persist in overall applications. Further insights suggest that DT research requires ongoing advancements in the establishment of granular maturity levels, in response to the need for a clearer categorization and definition of DTs.