Digital twin, CAE, and simulation all point to virtual product understanding, but they are not the same.
Simulation
A broad term for calculating behavior under defined conditions: structural, thermal, fluid, modal, and more.
CAE
A design workflow around CAD, mesh, materials, boundary conditions, solvers, post-processing, and reports.
Digital twin
A model connected to real-world data from a product or system, often used for monitoring, prediction, and operations.
Early product development often needs fast CAE review before a full digital twin is possible.