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Hello, I’m Dave.
Who are you?
I am an engineering consultant with expertise in 3D modeling, design, data management, construction, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and digital twins. I have previously developed technical standards and performed governance on engineering data quality. My experience includes developing applications to connect software products and manipulate data, extending traditional software capabilities. As a published app developer, I currently have developer status with Apple, Autodesk, and Microsoft. With my background as a design engineer, I offer a unique perspective to maximize efficiency gains through developing applications, processes and standards that advance best practices.
What is your industry and profession?
I have nearly 40 years of experience working across multiple industries, including HVAC, chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, manufacturing, nuclear, dairy, brewery, and general engineering. My core expertise is in building services engineering, though I have worked internationally, including 18 years in Canada and 3 years in France’s manufacturing sector. For the past 6 years, I have focused on the UK construction industry, leveraging my diverse background to deliver solutions.
Where do you plan to use your new Digital Twin Knowledge? Personally/professionally?
As a Digital Twin consultant, I advise clients on strategy, benefits, and costs to meet their specific asset management and operational needs. My approach is to collaborate with clients to reverse engineer requirements starting from their goals, rather than fitting a pre-determined solution. With experience introducing Digital Twin methodologies in the oil and gas industry in the 2010s, I recognize that effective implementation relies on processes enabled by software tools, not the tools alone. My role is to consult on how contractors can align deliverables to enable clients’ Digital Twin strategies post-handover, whether for HVAC asset management, meeting Building Safety Act requirements, or other operational objectives. I collaborate with clients to tailor Digital Twin solutions, bringing experience driving adoption across industries.
Why have you decided to join the DTHub?
My goal in participating is to collaborate with like-minded professionals to share knowledge and further develop the definitions and use cases for digital twins across industries. By engaging in discussion and information exchange with this group, we have the opportunity to expand our collective understanding of how digital twins can drive improvements. My aim is to both contribute my perspective and learn from others to advance best practices in applying digital twin technologies to meet business objectives. Through this open dialogue, we can work together to realise the full potential of digital twins and promote adoption.
Have you participated in any of our meetups, or events?
Not yet, but intend to start with the Gemini weekly callsÂ
Do you have any examples of work that you have done using Digital Twins?
A digital twin enables asset owners to leverage accurate information for various objectives, including planning future projects, gaining business insights, running simulations, and optimizing maintenance. My experience highlights that the digital twin methodology focuses on connecting quality data to decision-making, which I successfully implemented using 2D drawings and Excel files for a plant facility over 15 years ago. While the exponential improvements in computing power and storage have vastly expanded the inputs and outputs, the underlying methodology remains centred on providing owners with the precise information needed to minimise costs, maximise efficiency, and make data-driven decisions over an asset’s lifecycle. The potential is now far greater to achieve operational gains through simulation, automation, and pre-emptive maintenance. However, the fundamentals remain tied to having an accurate digital representation of the physical asset. My background demonstrates the methodology works and having robust data is key to driving outcomes.