Carter Corbin, a mechatronics engineering student at Kennesaw State University (KSU), is at the forefront of a significant advancement in smart manufacturing as he collaborates with his peers to develop systems where machines and their virtual counterparts communicate instantaneously.
His research involves integrating robotics with digital twin technology, which aims to enhance automation by making it more intelligent and adaptable.
Corbin describes a digital twin as a virtual representation of a physical machine.
What distinguishes his team’s project is the real-time updating of both digital and physical models.
When a change occurs in the virtual environment, the real machine responds accordingly, enabling interactivity that goes beyond traditional simulations.
The project centers around a small-scale conveyor system, which utilizes a puck and a robotic arm, allowing for operations testing and problem diagnosis without interrupting production processes.
Corbin states, “It is more than just a simulation.
We can collect live data and prevent costly mistakes before they happen.”
Collaborating closely with undergraduate and graduate students, including a Ph.D. candidate, Corbin’s contributions have earned him co-authorship on a paper being submitted to the ASME IMECE 2025 conference, which addresses the integration of digital twins in manufacturing systems.
Ph.D. candidate Gershom Richards, who co-leads the research team, emphasizes the potential of digital twins to revolutionize manufacturing.
“With more than two years of experience developing digital twin systems,” he explains, “this technology centralizes complex tasks and enables integrated multiphysics simulation and system visualization, providing more accurate data for enhanced decision-making for operators and machines.”
Originally hailing from McDonough, Georgia, Corbin found his path in KSU’s mechatronics engineering program after transferring from Gordon State College, encouraged by a friend to pursue a field that blends mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.
His passion for engineering led him to choose mechatronics as it presented a more dynamic approach than conventional engineering degrees.
A pivotal moment in his studies came during a fluid power course with associate professor David Guerra-Zubiaga, which introduced Corbin to practical automation projects and catalyzed his focused study on building a digital manufacturing twin.
Guerra-Zubiaga notes, “Carter is an outstanding student who consistently ranks at the top of his class.
He has demonstrated strong research leadership in collaboration with both graduate and Ph.D. students.”
One of the notable challenges Corbin faces in his current project is integrating diverse hardware components with Siemens programmable logic controllers (PLCs), which are crucial in industrial automation systems.
He shares, “We’ve faced compatibility issues.
It took trial and error to get it all working, but it was a valuable learning experience.”
Corbin plans to graduate in Spring 2025 and then enroll in KSU’s Master of Science in Intelligent Robotic Systems program in the fall as a graduate research assistant, with aspirations to pursue a Ph.D. in robotics.
Additionally, he intends to explore the Robot Operating System (ROS) 2 with assistant professor Muhammad Tanveer, known for its utility in robotic simulation and real-time communication in mobile systems.
While the research team seeks an industry partner to support their work, they utilize real-world tools and systems backed by Siemens, including PLC trainers, safety interlocks, and sensor modules, to ensure robust research.
“This research is preparing us for the problems we’ll face in the field,” Corbin asserts.
“We’re not just learning the theory.
We’re applying it.”
image source from：cobbcountycourier
