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22 SMT007 MAGAZINE I AUGUST 2023 bines materials, energy consumption, prove- nance, and design elements. In essence, the concept of digital twin exposes two key directives that are needed for successful digital transformation in manufac- turing. e reality is that all soware solutions, from the simplest to the most comprehensive, from the oldest to the latest AI apps, have their own digital twin architecture already inside. Any contextualization of data, applied algo- rithm, or rule set that exists to make analyses or decisions, are all based on their own propri- etary digital twin resource—which inherently limits their scope, scalability, and opportunity to create value. e IPC Digital Twin standard does not replace these nor affect them in any way but provides the interoperability between such internal digital twins in different solutions. e two choices to connect digital twins are to use either expensive customizations and middle- ware for each and every solution-to-solution integration—which causes exponential cost burdens and delays—or to utilize the IPC-2551 Digital Twin standard data exchange mecha- nism. is provides the opportunity to address data from design, manufacturing, and beyond with a single "language," in a way that suits many applications, and is sustainable. Several years ago, with the advent of the CFX standard, it seemed daunting to think that machine vendors would natively adopt "yet another standard" for data communication across the shopfloor. Over a relatively short time, however, the unique approach and prin- ciples behind CFX have already made it the dominant standard within the industry. e same should be true for the IPC Digital Twin standard in the solutions. We do, however, need to build the same critical mass that CFX has achieved. Anyone interested in joining the team that continues to shape and evolve this standard should contact any IPC standards representative. SMT007 Michael Ford is the senior director of emerging industry strategy for Aegis Software. To read past columns, click here. An aerospace engineer designs, tests, and man- ages the electronics manufacturing of aircraft, space- craft, satellites, and missiles. They also test elec- tronic prototypes to make sure they function prop- erly according to design, and they develop new technologies to be used in space exploration, avia- tion, and defense systems. Aerospace engineers can specialize in a spe- cific type of electrical aerospace product, such as missiles and rockets, military fighter jets, space- craft, helicopters, or commercial aircraft. Or they may choose to specialize in specific areas, such as instrumentation and communication, navigation and control, electronic structural design, guidance, or production methods. Learn more Careers In Electronics: Aerospace Engineer