4 Computing power & Digital Twins “It’s an upward spiral: because precision is getting higher and higher, companies like ASML are able to make components with higher performance and computing capacity. We, in turn, benefit from that greater capacity. It enables us to combine dynamic and thermal models, allowing us to make better machines. This, in turn, allows ASML to expose chips more accurately.” Increasing computing power is leading to the emergence of digital twins. Or in other words, virtual representations of a product or machine that can simulate an entire machine. “For example, today we create simulations for machine parts. In them, we combine thermal, dynamic, and control behavior. It is fair to say that this is a simplified version of the machine part. We build a FUMO (function model) with limited functionality, but one that is very accessible. With that FUMO, we conduct an experiment and can optimize the model. In this way, we arrive at the end result step by step. We couldn’t do that in the past; there wasn’t enough computing capacity for that.” This is a positive development, but companies must make sure to keep both feet on the ground and check whether the simulations and predictions are actually correct. So a digital twin cannot be adopted as truth without question. “We firmly believe in the simulations, but you have to make sure that you get feedback from reality and verify what is real. Only when you do that can you improve the models.” A well-known example where computers and AI were believed instead of people, according to Spaan, is the Dutch scandal around the ‘Toeslagenaffaire’, the Benefits scandal. “Computer models were adopted blindly and people were not listened to. Verification with reality was skipped. You have to avoid that at all costs.” “We firmly believe in the simulations, but you have to make sure that you offer feedback to reality and verify what is real. Only when you do that can you improve the models.” Microsoft Teams can work, but face-to-face works better 5 A final trend is related to the corona pandemic. The past year and a half have shown that a lot is possible digitally: week openings, online meetings, and even social gatherings. “For a while, we thought: do we still need to go to a customer? It’s more efficient via the screen. But I also see that a bit of awareness is emerging. If everything happens online, you miss the human factor.” For real networking, you need face-to-face contact, Spaan says. He also had that feeling 20 years ago when he contacted Mikrocentrum with the idea of setting up a Precision Fair. “I felt displaced in the Netherlands. There were fairs, but I missed precision. Moreover, I thought it was important to bring together the different disciplines you need for precision. So that’s what we did. Meanwhile, the fair has grown into a place where everyone from the industry can pick up the latest status of technology. I think that need for direct contact will always exist in our industry.” 26
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