Digital twins are increasingly being used in industry throughout the entire value chain. However, the further dissemination and use of digital twins requires a universal comprehensibility and integrability of their data and services across system and company boundaries. The answer of the Industry 4.0 platform to this, is the specification of the Asset Administration Shell (AAS).
The FA³ST Service is being developed by Fraunhofer IOSB as part of the Fraunhofer Advanced Asset Administration Shell Tools for Digital Twins (FA³ST), a collection of tools for modeling, creating and using digital twins based on the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) specification. It is published as open source under Apache 2.0 license (GitHub – FraunhoferIOSB/FAAAST-Service: FA³ST – Fraunhofer Advanced Asset Administration Shell Tools (for Digital Twins) ) and will soon be realized as an Eclipse FA³ST project (Eclipse FA³ST ).
The FA³ST Service is an implementation of the re-active or type 2 AAS, which means you can load existing AAS models and interact with them via API. The FA³ST Service focuses on AASs on the edge, meaning synchronizing assets and AAS is a central aspect. The protocol-agnostic definition allows the FA³ST Service to be integrated with any kind of communication protocol and by using different interaction patterns. The FA³ST Service provides out-of-the-box support for different protocols (e.g. OPC UA, HTTP and MQTT) that can be used without writing any code.
For communication with the outside world, digital twins realized with the FA³ST Service offer a standardized AAS-compliant DT API which currently can be used based on HTTP, OPC UA, or both at the same time.
The FA³ST Service also focuses on easy usage for non-expert users while at the same time offering an open architecture which allows for easy extension of functionality. It can be used via CLI, docker, or as embedded Java library and offers multiple means for configuration.
As part of the MODAPTO project, the FA³ST service has been extended with the capability to execute different types of logic or algorithms within a digital twin. Currently, we provide support for Functional Mock-Up Units, i.e. concrete simulation logic based on the FMI standard. The FA³ST service is able to load AAS models following the AAS submodel template “Provision of Simulation Models” containing FMU files and to invoke the simulation algorithm contained in these files via the standardized AAS API.”
Exploring the Asset Administration Shell (AAS)
The Asset Administration Shell (AAS) is a standardized digital representation of a physical or virtual asset. It serves as a central repository for all relevant data and services related to the asset throughout its entire lifecycle. This includes information about its design, production, operation, maintenance, and disposal.
In essence, the AAS specification provides a common language for describing and managing assets, enabling efficient and secure data exchange across different systems and organizations.
| Use Cases | Benefits of AAS |
| · Digital twins: Creating digital representations of physical assets for simulation and analysis.
· Industry 4.0: Facilitating data exchange and interoperability in manufacturing environments. · Product lifecycle management: Managing product information from design to disposal. · Asset performance management: Monitoring and optimizing asset performance. |
· Improved data management: Centralizes and standardizes asset-related information.
· Enhanced collaboration: Enables seamless information sharing between stakeholders. · Optimized processes: Supports efficient asset lifecycle management. · Increased asset value: Provides insights for better decision-making and asset utilization. |
Real-World Examples of AAS Implementation
While AAS is a relatively new concept, its potential applications are vast. Here are some real-world examples of how organizations are leveraging AAS:
Manufacturing
- Predictive Maintenance: By creating digital twins of machines using AAS, manufacturers can monitor real-time machine health data, predict potential failures, and schedule maintenance proactively.
- Supply Chain Optimization: Tracking raw materials, components, and finished products through the supply chain using AAS can improve visibility, reduce lead times, and minimize waste.
- Quality Control: AAS can be used to collect and analyze data on product quality, identify defects, and implement corrective actions.
Energy Sector
- Smart Grid Management: AAS can represent energy assets like power plants, transformers, and meters, enabling efficient grid management, demand response, and renewable energy integration.
- Asset Performance Management: Monitoring the performance of energy assets can help identify inefficiencies, optimize maintenance, and extend asset lifespan.
Automotive Industry
- Connected Vehicles: AAS can be used to create digital twins of vehicles, enabling remote diagnostics, over-the-air updates, and autonomous driving capabilities.
- Vehicle Lifecycle Management: Tracking a vehicle’s entire lifecycle, from production to recycling, can improve sustainability and resource efficiency.
Aerospace
- Aircraft Maintenance: Creating digital twins of aircraft components can optimize maintenance schedules, reduce downtime, and improve safety.
- Supply Chain Management: Tracking aircraft parts and components throughout the supply chain can ensure availability and prevent disruptions.
Building and Construction
- Digital Twins of Buildings: Creating digital representations of buildings can optimize energy consumption, facility management, and occupant comfort.
- Asset Management: Tracking building components and systems can facilitate maintenance, repairs, and replacements.
See more on AAS at
- Plattform Industrie 4.0 – Details of the Asset Administration Shell – Part 1 (plattform-i40.de)
- What is the Asset Administration Shell (AAS)? (3dfindit.com)