Blockchain-based application for the traceability of complex assembly structures. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuhn, Marlene; Funk, Felix; Zhang, Guanlai; Franke, Jörg
• Is Part Of: Journal of manufacturing systems. Volume 59(2021)
• Page Start: 617
• Page End: 630
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Traceability -- dApp -- Blockchain -- ERC 1155 -- Assembly -- Smart manufacturing -- Graph model; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Production engineering -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Robots, Industrial -- Periodicals; Production, Technique de la -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Robots industriels -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 670.42
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmsy.2021.04.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-6125

Abstract

Highlights: A blockchain architecture based on Ethereum and PoA enables holistic traceability in smart manufacturing networks. Through ERC 1155 tokens, multi-hierarchical assemblies consisting of unique parts and batches can be represented. The general-purpose smart contract allows transferring models to other assembly use cases. A user-friendly decentralized application integrates Neo4j and blockchain data to holistic data visualization. Abstract: Production processes are becoming increasingly complex and decentralized, spanning across multiple manufacturing areas, factories, and even countries. Thereby is the development of a holistic and data-continuous traceability system, which provides transparency of records for the entire manufacturing flow from raw materials to the final product, one of the main challenges. While some solutions already address traceability issues in supply chain management and manufacturing, customized and volatile industries, in which each product features a unique configuration, are still lacking appropriate models and proofs of concept. In this research, we develop a decentralized blockchain application called TokenTrail, which focuses on the specific traceability requirements of multi-hierarchical assembly structures. The proposed blockchain architecture is based on a consortium Ethereum network and a Proof of Authority consensus, which delivers a trusted and shared database within an economic processing framework. To overcome the challenges of managing liaison transformations, we develop an assembly token manager based on the semi-fungible ERC 1155 token, which enables a direct representation of complex assembly processes and structures containing unique parts and batches within one smart contract. A user-friendly front-end application simplifies the querying of the recorded traceability data and visualizes existing dependencies.