Abstract: With the deep integration of new generation information technology and manufacturing technology, simulation technology is developing into the deep integration and efficient collaboration between information system and physical system. In this context, digital twin technology with the characteristics of virtual reality fusion has become a new research hotspot in recent years, and is the development direction of the next generation simulation technology. In order to explore the adoption of new generation information technology and speed up the digital transformation and upgrading of discrete manufacturing industry, the development context and work scenarios of simulation technology are analyzed, and the digital twin technology has been drew into the research on simulation analysis of production line. The concept and connotation of the digital twin technology are introduced, the relationship, similarities and differences between digital twin technology and traditional computer simulation technology are analyzed, and the directions of applying digital twin technology in production line are discussed. Then the construction method and realization way of digital twin model of production line are analyzed, while the research status and existing problems are summarized. Finally, the possible innovation directions of digital twin in production line simulation are given, which provide a reference for discrete manufacturing enterprises to cross the interaction gap between physical resources and digital world, establish the interaction and integration of physical space and information space of production line, and promote the digital management and intelligent production of the whole life cycle of production line, in which way to achieve the transformation of intelligent manufacturing. 

Key words:  simulation, digital twin, production line, discrete manufacturing, intelligent manufacturing