Research Article
Open Access
Blockchain Technology for Global Decentralized
Manufacturing: Challenges and Solutions for
Supply Chain in Fourth Industrial Revolution
Babak Zareiyan1* and Mehdi Korjani2
1PhD in Civil Engineering from University of Southern California, USA
2PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Southern California, USA
2PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Southern California, USA
*Corresponding author: Babak Zareiyan, PhD, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Southern California, USA, E-mail:
@
Received: May 02, 2018; Accepted: May 21, 2018; Published: May 31, 2018
Citation: Zareiyan B, Korjani M (2018) Blockchain Technology for Global Decentralized Manufacturing: Challenges and Solutions for Supply Chain in Fourth Industrial Revolution Int J Adv Robot Automn 3(2): 1-10. DOI: 10.15226/2473-3032/3/2/00135
Abstract
In this paper we introduce 3D-Chain, a decentralized solution
based on blockchain technology to global manufacturing challenges
for industry 4.0 revolution [1]. 3D-Chain aims to provide an ecosystem
for manufacturers, designers, and consumer to interact efficiently
without any restriction. Within this framework, the benefits of
manufacturing become a global common infrastructure for all.
Moreover, demand for personalized design is exponentially growing
every year and soon dominate the manufacturing and the economy.
However, manufacturing new items and personalized them are
very expensive and time-consuming. 3D-Chain facilitates the mass
customization through its network to answer this global demand and
it is designed to incentivize and reward beneficial players. Developing
and building innovation processes that prioritize global growth in
economy, supporting software infrastructure for sustainable merge
of fabrication technologies into a new decentralized manufacturing
market, addressing cross-functional components in manufacturing
and design, decentralizing manufacturing to increase performance
and reduce waiting time and cost, unlocking mass customization, and
Evaluating consumers, business, manufacturers, services providers,
and suppliers are 3D-Chain’s mission and objectives.
Keywords: 3D-Chain; Blockchain; Decentralize manufacturing; Additive manufacturing; Automated fabrication technologies;
Keywords: 3D-Chain; Blockchain; Decentralize manufacturing; Additive manufacturing; Automated fabrication technologies;
Introduction
The future of manufacturing
Manufacturing is a critical contributor to productivity,
innovation, and trade. Time of big growth always has been
supported by manufacturing revolutions (Steam engine, mass
production, and automation). Today, rates of economic growth in
major economic blocks are declining and the global manufacturing
is facing a fierce competition over every scrap of market share.
Many opportunities in the industrial value creation in the early
industrialized countries are shaped by the development towards
the fourth stage of industrialization, the so-called Industry 4.0
[2]. Industry 4.0 is the collection of cutting-edge technologies
that support effective and accurate engineering decision-making
in real time through the introduction of various technologies and
the convergence with the existing manufacturing technologies
[3]. There are different technology trends that are the building
blocks of Industry 4.0 [4–6]. Figure 1 shows important factors
in global manufacturing within Industry 4.0 revolution. In this
paper we focus on solutions to overcome current challenges in
Industry 4.0.
Figure 1: Important factors in global manufacturing competitiveness
Potential technical and economic benefits for manufacturers
and production equipment suppliers using industry 4.0 are
presented in [4,7]. Studies show that decentralization and network
building change the manufacturing landscape from an Industry
4.0 perspective [8]. The increasing utilization of information
and communication technology allows digital engineering of
products and production processes alike. Modular simulation and
modeling techniques allow decentralized units to flexibly alter
products and thereby enable rapid product innovation. In this
transformation, sensors, machines, workpieces, and IT systems
will be connected along the value chain beyond a single enterprise.
These connected systems can interact with one another using
standard Internet-based protocols and analyze data to predict
failure, configure themselves, and adapt to changes [4].
3D Printing
A compelling solution to manufacturing growth is Additive
Manufacturing (AM) also known as 3D Printing which can
expedite the whole manufacturing process while decreasing
cost and hassle of making new products [9]. 3D Printing creates
physical objects from a digital file using layer upon layer printing
approach [10].
For manufacturers, 3D Printing is not the future, it is a production method like any other. A survey shows manufacturers consider additive manufacturing a vital part of their business operation and recognize an urgent need to increase their investment into innovation and R&D [11]. 60% of manufacturers already use 3D printing in some way, and 30% plan to adopt the technology in the future (Figure 2). However, the full potential of 3D Printing is far from tapped.
For manufacturers, 3D Printing is not the future, it is a production method like any other. A survey shows manufacturers consider additive manufacturing a vital part of their business operation and recognize an urgent need to increase their investment into innovation and R&D [11]. 60% of manufacturers already use 3D printing in some way, and 30% plan to adopt the technology in the future (Figure 2). However, the full potential of 3D Printing is far from tapped.
Figure 2: Current manufacture user of 3D Printing technology vs. future
users; Source data [12]
The 3D Printing technology has roots that go back for decades.
But for years, 3D Printing did not apply in the commercial
manufacturing. Nevertheless, 3D Printing presents compelling
business opportunities and we are now observing different
application of 3D Printing due to decrease in cost, technological
advances, and flexibility in design.
Prototyping and proof of concept are the leading use of 3D printing (Figure 3). However, 3D Printing market is maturing, and it is evolving from its roots in the volunteer maker movement into a highly competitive business. This new technology can reduce the cost and barriers in manufacturing. There are reasons to believe that 3D Printing will begin to infiltrate the mainstream, with success belonging to products and services that focus on the object being made, rather than the hobbyist’s thrill in the futuristic manner of how it was made.
Prototyping and proof of concept are the leading use of 3D printing (Figure 3). However, 3D Printing market is maturing, and it is evolving from its roots in the volunteer maker movement into a highly competitive business. This new technology can reduce the cost and barriers in manufacturing. There are reasons to believe that 3D Printing will begin to infiltrate the mainstream, with success belonging to products and services that focus on the object being made, rather than the hobbyist’s thrill in the futuristic manner of how it was made.
Figure 3: Current top user of 3D Printing technology; source data: [13]
• The primary market (3D Printing systems, materials, supplies,
and service) will grow 30% each year.
• Increase applications of 3D printing in medical and dental industries are driven by capability of new generation of 3D Printers to fabricate precise complex geometries [14].
• While US is the leader in additive manufacturing applications followed by Europe, there is a clear trend in the adoption of additive manufacturing by Asian countries. (Figure 4)
• Increase applications of 3D printing in medical and dental industries are driven by capability of new generation of 3D Printers to fabricate precise complex geometries [14].
• While US is the leader in additive manufacturing applications followed by Europe, there is a clear trend in the adoption of additive manufacturing by Asian countries. (Figure 4)
Figure 4: Global 3D Printing market by region; Source data [13]
3D Printing allows individuals to design and produce objects
on demand. The most exciting part of this technology is beyond
productivity and extends to smarter, scalable, and better products.
It will create a microeconomic shift and relocate the process to
home market. Because of this movement:
• The final product will be closer to consumer market
• Factories will be smaller and decentralized
• Scalability and flexibility are important not mass production
• A new area of globalization is forming
Another advantage of utilization of industry 4.0 is customization of mass-produced parts by combining injection molding and additive manufacturing [15]. Various techniques are presented that aid the design process of individualized products and organization of their production in the context of realization of the mass customization strategy, which allows a shortened time of development for a new product [3,16,17].
• The final product will be closer to consumer market
• Factories will be smaller and decentralized
• Scalability and flexibility are important not mass production
• A new area of globalization is forming
Another advantage of utilization of industry 4.0 is customization of mass-produced parts by combining injection molding and additive manufacturing [15]. Various techniques are presented that aid the design process of individualized products and organization of their production in the context of realization of the mass customization strategy, which allows a shortened time of development for a new product [3,16,17].
Problem
Issues in current 3D printing industry
Mainstream application of 3D Printing requires investment
in tools and materials for any specific product. You need to have
skills to design your idea, have right tools to develop a prototype,
and be familiar with all the optimization tools that are needed to
turn a 3D file into a physical object. Having luxury of enough time,
enough money and right skills to go through the whole process is
very rare. The main restrictions are:
Size restriction
Future growth in large scale 3D printing requires investing a
lot of money or using external 3D printing services.
Material restriction
To 3D Print a product, specific material is necessary. Plastic
is the most common 3D printing material followed by resin.
Knowing all the materials, analyzing it, and finding/purchasing
a new 3D Printer for that specific material are very challenging.
3D printing technology
There are several 3D printing technologies, each has different
way to process input material and create a final product.
Consumer must learn all possible technologies and pick most
appropriate one for their applications. Therefore, finding a
manufacturing company to make the design compatible with
required specifications demands lots of time and efforts.
Innovation and intellectual property issues
The shift in global demand for 3D Printed good requires very
different service with different features and price points. Offering
a variety of designs while protecting copyright is challenging for
designers and manufacturers. These questions arise in global 3D
Printing and design environment which is different from past
with more complexity, uncertainty, and risk.
Challenges in current supply chain of manufacturing
With manufacturing focusing on adopting new technology,
ensuring the supply chain is ready for growth is a priority.
Currently, the commercial adoption of 3D Printing technology has
been delayed by insufficient infrastructure.
Today, manufacturing is not about where to locate production, but it is about changing in customer’s demand, resiliency in supply chain, and cost factors. A new decentralized supply chain is required to serve application of 3D Printing and automated fabrication technologies in global manufacturing industry as the source of consumer as well as the source of low-cost production. A platform that is organized and operates in fundamentally different way to create a collaboration around the world of design, fabrication, marketing, and service in an intelligent and secure environment. (Figure 5)
Today, manufacturing is not about where to locate production, but it is about changing in customer’s demand, resiliency in supply chain, and cost factors. A new decentralized supply chain is required to serve application of 3D Printing and automated fabrication technologies in global manufacturing industry as the source of consumer as well as the source of low-cost production. A platform that is organized and operates in fundamentally different way to create a collaboration around the world of design, fabrication, marketing, and service in an intelligent and secure environment. (Figure 5)
Figure 5: Challenges in current supply chain of manufacturing
3D-Chain: A Decentralized Network for Future
Manufacturing
Despite significant growth, there is a wealth of untapped
potential in 3D Printing and automated fabrication technologies.
What if we combine existing manufacturing process and
innovation in technology sector to create next manufacturing
invention, a productive environment that does complex non
repetitive tasks?
Blockchain technology gives manufacturing an opportunity to transform the supply chain into a decentralized environment to achieve a new level of productivity and efficiency. The only thing missing is a platform which enables secure and sustainable transactions.
We need a platform focuses on addressing the impact of digitization on manufacturing strategies and key shortcomings of current infrastructure on adaptation of 3D Printing and automated fabrication technologies (Figure 6). It needs to transform hardware-based supply chain in manufacturing to one that is software-defined to prevent unexpected failure in supply chain as one of the greatest risk. It also needs to improve the visibility and flexibility of supply chain, reduces the risk of partnering with new designer, supplier, and producer, and creates a new value chain.
Blockchain technology gives manufacturing an opportunity to transform the supply chain into a decentralized environment to achieve a new level of productivity and efficiency. The only thing missing is a platform which enables secure and sustainable transactions.
We need a platform focuses on addressing the impact of digitization on manufacturing strategies and key shortcomings of current infrastructure on adaptation of 3D Printing and automated fabrication technologies (Figure 6). It needs to transform hardware-based supply chain in manufacturing to one that is software-defined to prevent unexpected failure in supply chain as one of the greatest risk. It also needs to improve the visibility and flexibility of supply chain, reduces the risk of partnering with new designer, supplier, and producer, and creates a new value chain.
Figure 6: 3D-Chain: a decentralized platform for automated fabrication
technologies and additive manufacturing
We presented in our previous paper 3D-Chain platform for
manufacturing as a secure platform uses greater intelligence in
product design and manufacturing to boost resource efficiency
and track activity by implementing blockchain technology [1].
3D-Chain introduces the first supply chain using cryptography for
expansion of 3D Printing and automated fabrication technologies
to consumer market (B2C) and industrial applications
(B2B). 3D-Chain is a fully integrated system across the entire
manufacturing industry, from the moment a design is developed
by designer to the final delivery to consumer. It helps forwardthinking
players to take advantage of decentralized technology
for next generation of manufacturing.
3D-Chain is highly focused on providing new growth opportunity for manufacturing market. Our goals are, increasing adaptation range of new technologies, saving cost, reducing the risk of faulty design, protecting copyright, and expanding customized design and fabrication using advantages of blockchain technology.
Many designer and engineers are outsourcing their 3D printing demands as speed and precision of external 3D printing providers has increased dramatically in last years. 3D-Chain will be market place to guarantee direct communication between parties, production, and delivery. 3D-Chain is a network of 3D Printers in different sizes for scale variation in manufacturing, a decentralize network which provides a platform of material for 3D Printing. Moreover, consumer, designers, and manufacturer can connect to the 3D-Chain network and select a specific technology for their applications.
3D-Chain is a new, creative, and collaborative environment that provides a platform for those with ambitions to expand into new markets, companies or individuals that are looking to bring more value to their consumer, innovator, researcher, and scholar in manufacturing industry. It also sets a decentralize third party governance program to lower the risk of uncertainty and ensure the compliance with contractual obligations. With 3D-Chain, the meaning of each cryptographic transition is only accessible for interpretation by the parties involved. The contract is completed and stored on the main blockchain which gives designers more visibility and allows contributors direct communication.
3D-Chain provides an environment to fully embrace the potential of 3D Printing and automated fabrication technologies in all steps of products’ lifetime (Figure 7). This will increase the performance and expand the application to wider range of industries. Increase in return of investment is another result of decentralize platform and gain a competitive advantage over other manufacturers.
3D-Chain is highly focused on providing new growth opportunity for manufacturing market. Our goals are, increasing adaptation range of new technologies, saving cost, reducing the risk of faulty design, protecting copyright, and expanding customized design and fabrication using advantages of blockchain technology.
Many designer and engineers are outsourcing their 3D printing demands as speed and precision of external 3D printing providers has increased dramatically in last years. 3D-Chain will be market place to guarantee direct communication between parties, production, and delivery. 3D-Chain is a network of 3D Printers in different sizes for scale variation in manufacturing, a decentralize network which provides a platform of material for 3D Printing. Moreover, consumer, designers, and manufacturer can connect to the 3D-Chain network and select a specific technology for their applications.
3D-Chain is a new, creative, and collaborative environment that provides a platform for those with ambitions to expand into new markets, companies or individuals that are looking to bring more value to their consumer, innovator, researcher, and scholar in manufacturing industry. It also sets a decentralize third party governance program to lower the risk of uncertainty and ensure the compliance with contractual obligations. With 3D-Chain, the meaning of each cryptographic transition is only accessible for interpretation by the parties involved. The contract is completed and stored on the main blockchain which gives designers more visibility and allows contributors direct communication.
3D-Chain provides an environment to fully embrace the potential of 3D Printing and automated fabrication technologies in all steps of products’ lifetime (Figure 7). This will increase the performance and expand the application to wider range of industries. Increase in return of investment is another result of decentralize platform and gain a competitive advantage over other manufacturers.
Figure 7: Development of the 3D-Chain’s network
Benefits of using decentralized 3D printing technology
3D-Chain provides a competitive market to overcome the
restrictions in mainstream applications of 3D Printing and
automated fabrication technologies.
Manufacturing industry can benefit from 3D-chain by:
• Providing a platform for people who are creative and explorer, those who want to change the world of design while protecting the copyright.
• Establishing a virtual marketplace for making, buying and selling products. Anyone with a 3D Printing machine or fabrication technology can provide a manufacturing service (open a shop, make a brand, promote it, share it).
• Helping people who are not familiar with the design tools to create objects.
• Allowing customers to adjust a few parameters and giving them enough control to take ownership of a product without overwhelming them.
• Facilitating fast and affordable fabrication of prototypes to set ideas in motion.
• Bringing group of designers and 3D Printers together to share ideas and to make things which they are impossible or very expensive to make in existing manufacturing ways.
• Creating small business around design and manufacturing instead of large scale factories.
• Sharing products, technologies and ideas in a secure environment.
• Expanding the design/ manufacturing into as many hands as possible.
Manufacturing industry can benefit from 3D-chain by:
• Providing a platform for people who are creative and explorer, those who want to change the world of design while protecting the copyright.
• Establishing a virtual marketplace for making, buying and selling products. Anyone with a 3D Printing machine or fabrication technology can provide a manufacturing service (open a shop, make a brand, promote it, share it).
• Helping people who are not familiar with the design tools to create objects.
• Allowing customers to adjust a few parameters and giving them enough control to take ownership of a product without overwhelming them.
• Facilitating fast and affordable fabrication of prototypes to set ideas in motion.
• Bringing group of designers and 3D Printers together to share ideas and to make things which they are impossible or very expensive to make in existing manufacturing ways.
• Creating small business around design and manufacturing instead of large scale factories.
• Sharing products, technologies and ideas in a secure environment.
• Expanding the design/ manufacturing into as many hands as possible.
Figure 8: 3D Printing future trend will be available through 3D-Chain
for users
• Customizing and personalizing items for individuals (Figure
9). Eventually, using recyclable or sustainable materials which
preserve natural resources.
• Eliminating mass production and managing the inventory through real-time production.
The future 3D printing industry will be more and more application-driven (Figure 8) to meet specific demands for business and consumer. By connecting network of 3D Printers and fabrication technologies with different capabilities on 3D-Chain platform, manufacturers and consumer have the freedom to focus on the application which will cause the real transformation in the industry. Collaboration is also the key for creating a sustainable supply chain for future manufacturing. 3D-Chain increase collaboration between existing and future players in its decentralized platform, an ecosystem which integrates different parts of 3D Printing industry and automated fabrication technology (hardware, software, service, …) to drive innovation and serve consumer. This results in a leaner supply chain and fewer risks.
• Eliminating mass production and managing the inventory through real-time production.
The future 3D printing industry will be more and more application-driven (Figure 8) to meet specific demands for business and consumer. By connecting network of 3D Printers and fabrication technologies with different capabilities on 3D-Chain platform, manufacturers and consumer have the freedom to focus on the application which will cause the real transformation in the industry. Collaboration is also the key for creating a sustainable supply chain for future manufacturing. 3D-Chain increase collaboration between existing and future players in its decentralized platform, an ecosystem which integrates different parts of 3D Printing industry and automated fabrication technology (hardware, software, service, …) to drive innovation and serve consumer. This results in a leaner supply chain and fewer risks.
Figure 9: 3D-Chain unlocks area of mass customization in a decentralized
and secured environment
3D-Chain’s ecosystem and marketplace
The challenges that come with additive manufacturing in
terms of production and decision making are numerous. Meeting
these challenges drives us here at 3D-Chain to continue to create
a new platform for future growth in production.
3D-chain can turn data into objects and objects into data on demand in a protected and secure environment. This approach facilitates the productivity in manufacturing, increase efficiency, and lead to the global growth and distribution of wealth as our goal.
The ecosystem is a global decentralized platform where consumers can buy designs directly from designer, personalize a design, select among different materials and specifications, optimized the design for a specific fabrication technology, and send the design to appropriate manufacture and receive it in manageable time.
Raw material supplier, component supplier, 3D Printing machine manufacturer, fabrication technology provider, researcher, service provider, distributer, and end user define the ecosystem. The ecosystem’s users (Figure 10) are providers of:
3D-chain can turn data into objects and objects into data on demand in a protected and secure environment. This approach facilitates the productivity in manufacturing, increase efficiency, and lead to the global growth and distribution of wealth as our goal.
The ecosystem is a global decentralized platform where consumers can buy designs directly from designer, personalize a design, select among different materials and specifications, optimized the design for a specific fabrication technology, and send the design to appropriate manufacture and receive it in manageable time.
Raw material supplier, component supplier, 3D Printing machine manufacturer, fabrication technology provider, researcher, service provider, distributer, and end user define the ecosystem. The ecosystem’s users (Figure 10) are providers of:
Figure 10: 3D-Chain’s ecosystem
• 3D Printing solutions (Desktop, Industrial)
• 3D Printing services
• 3D Printing materials (Plastic, Metal, Concrete, and Other Materials)
• 3D Printing accessories
• 3D Printing consultation
• 3D Printing software (Printing, Design, and Inspection)
• 3D Scanning services
• Manufacturers, fabrication technology providers, and start-up companies
• Designers and Computer-aided design (CAD) developers
• Distributers and wholesalers
• End users and consumer
• Educators and researchers in 3D Printing and automated fabrication technology
Incentive of consumer to use 3D-Chain platform is to access transparent prices for a wide range of designs, designers, and manufacturers. 3D Printing and fabrication technology providers compete for consumers/designers and interact with them directly with fraction of cost of traditional systems. In addition of accessing the network, consumer and designers can send a design or an idea with great confidentiality inherent from the network and make sure that their work is protected with copyright.
• 3D Printing services
• 3D Printing materials (Plastic, Metal, Concrete, and Other Materials)
• 3D Printing accessories
• 3D Printing consultation
• 3D Printing software (Printing, Design, and Inspection)
• 3D Scanning services
• Manufacturers, fabrication technology providers, and start-up companies
• Designers and Computer-aided design (CAD) developers
• Distributers and wholesalers
• End users and consumer
• Educators and researchers in 3D Printing and automated fabrication technology
Incentive of consumer to use 3D-Chain platform is to access transparent prices for a wide range of designs, designers, and manufacturers. 3D Printing and fabrication technology providers compete for consumers/designers and interact with them directly with fraction of cost of traditional systems. In addition of accessing the network, consumer and designers can send a design or an idea with great confidentiality inherent from the network and make sure that their work is protected with copyright.
3D-Chain’s network based on Blockchain
Blockchain is a decentralized technology, aiming to solve
trust issue between users. Bitcoin is the most popular example
of Blockchain technology. It is a digital currency where miners
validate all transactions. It uses a distributed ledger that is
updated by consensus among the community, rather than held
privately.
3D-Chain’s network uses blockchain technology to facilitate communication and distribute resources in the network. This technology provides a scalable, decentralized, and selforganizing network that ensures sustainability in the platform and reliable communication between consumers, designers, and manufactures. As such, it can be built on any open, decentralized framework that satisfies certain requirements. The platform requires:
• Global Network: The platform opens with 3D Printing technology and develops to an entire world of manufacturers, designers, and consumers.
• A Scalable Transaction Infrastructure: The platform needs highly stable and scalable transaction network.
• Low Transaction Costs: The payment process in any manufacturing transaction currently entails many different steps and middleman to settle a transaction and different fees to pay for payment gateways, thus making transaction fees very high a long route that could be cut short with blockchain technology. Blockchain is the perfect tool for payment to be more efficient and more trustful. Payment processing through blockchain has a significantly bigger potential for transaction speeds and low prices.
• Chain Management: Companies must manage a complex supply chain of manufacturers, consumer, carriers, and logistics providers. A blockchain of the transaction, containing order details and negotiated fees and commissions (in the form of smart contracts) will be used to capture designs/ products, delivery and possible return events, and drive financial settlement with fewer opportunities for dispute. The nature of blockchain records and native token means that each party can make data visible to the others. All parties have visibility into the transaction and no custom interface must be negotiated between partners (only to/from the blockchain). The blockchain is the system of records for the entire transactions. It reduces time delays, costs, and human errors that plague transactions today, automate inventory control, and streamline fulfillment processes. But, errors to some extent are possible since 3D Printed products are not digital, the blockchain records of their track is inevitably postfactum.
• Designers Network
• Manufacturers Network
• Consumers Network
• Fulfillment Network (operators, workers and couriers) (Figure 11)
Designers publish their design for sale, carry out promotion and loyalty campaigns, and get feedback from consumers. Network enables consumers to order their design or personalized them and facilitates the order for manufacturing process by optimizing the 3D model based on a given specification and material.
Manufactures publish their rate for specific types of materials, level of precision and duration of time to produce objects. Manufacturing network has cross-platform system to distribute
3D-Chain’s network uses blockchain technology to facilitate communication and distribute resources in the network. This technology provides a scalable, decentralized, and selforganizing network that ensures sustainability in the platform and reliable communication between consumers, designers, and manufactures. As such, it can be built on any open, decentralized framework that satisfies certain requirements. The platform requires:
• Global Network: The platform opens with 3D Printing technology and develops to an entire world of manufacturers, designers, and consumers.
• A Scalable Transaction Infrastructure: The platform needs highly stable and scalable transaction network.
• Low Transaction Costs: The payment process in any manufacturing transaction currently entails many different steps and middleman to settle a transaction and different fees to pay for payment gateways, thus making transaction fees very high a long route that could be cut short with blockchain technology. Blockchain is the perfect tool for payment to be more efficient and more trustful. Payment processing through blockchain has a significantly bigger potential for transaction speeds and low prices.
• Chain Management: Companies must manage a complex supply chain of manufacturers, consumer, carriers, and logistics providers. A blockchain of the transaction, containing order details and negotiated fees and commissions (in the form of smart contracts) will be used to capture designs/ products, delivery and possible return events, and drive financial settlement with fewer opportunities for dispute. The nature of blockchain records and native token means that each party can make data visible to the others. All parties have visibility into the transaction and no custom interface must be negotiated between partners (only to/from the blockchain). The blockchain is the system of records for the entire transactions. It reduces time delays, costs, and human errors that plague transactions today, automate inventory control, and streamline fulfillment processes. But, errors to some extent are possible since 3D Printed products are not digital, the blockchain records of their track is inevitably postfactum.
• Designers Network
• Manufacturers Network
• Consumers Network
• Fulfillment Network (operators, workers and couriers) (Figure 11)
Designers publish their design for sale, carry out promotion and loyalty campaigns, and get feedback from consumers. Network enables consumers to order their design or personalized them and facilitates the order for manufacturing process by optimizing the 3D model based on a given specification and material.
Manufactures publish their rate for specific types of materials, level of precision and duration of time to produce objects. Manufacturing network has cross-platform system to distribute
Figure 11: 3D-Chain’s network
the design across multiple fabrication technology providers for
faster production.
Consumers order a design or product in the network. They also can publish their personalized designs (e.g. celebrities design) or brand design to have more followers, earn credit and ease of the process for other consumers.
All the networks based on Blockchain inherent the security and transparency aspects of the decentralized platforms where designers and manufactures can communicate directly to consumer and have assurance of direct payment with minimum transaction fee. Designers are paid based on every usage of their designs without worrying about copyright enforcement. On the other hand, consumer will get best price with minimum overhead and have confidence that their review and feedback can’t be manipulated or deleted. The platform establishes a decentralized, fair and secure platform for execution of an effective incentive model for all parties to join the 3D-Chain ecosystem. Figure 12 shows the whole platform and communications between networks.
Consumers order a design or product in the network. They also can publish their personalized designs (e.g. celebrities design) or brand design to have more followers, earn credit and ease of the process for other consumers.
All the networks based on Blockchain inherent the security and transparency aspects of the decentralized platforms where designers and manufactures can communicate directly to consumer and have assurance of direct payment with minimum transaction fee. Designers are paid based on every usage of their designs without worrying about copyright enforcement. On the other hand, consumer will get best price with minimum overhead and have confidence that their review and feedback can’t be manipulated or deleted. The platform establishes a decentralized, fair and secure platform for execution of an effective incentive model for all parties to join the 3D-Chain ecosystem. Figure 12 shows the whole platform and communications between networks.
Figure 12: 3D-Chain’s network flow
Designers
Designers are companies or individuals in the business of
designing 3D objects. They can range from individual designers
to large designing companies. Designer’s roles are:
• Develop designs or personalized a design based on consumers’ needs
• Make the design compatible with specific 3D Printer and optimize it for the printer
• Work with consumer to select materials
• Provide attractive promotion and loyalty rewards to acquire and retain consumers
• Develop designs or personalized a design based on consumers’ needs
• Make the design compatible with specific 3D Printer and optimize it for the printer
• Work with consumer to select materials
• Provide attractive promotion and loyalty rewards to acquire and retain consumers
Incentive for designers
• Access to global network
• Secure environment with built-in copyright enforcement
• Get fair prices on their design and compete and collaborate openly with other designers
• Provide compatibility of their design with manufactures
• Serve in a trustful manner to keep a high rating score and attract more consumers
• Get promotion and loyalty rewards from manufacturers
• Secure environment with built-in copyright enforcement
• Get fair prices on their design and compete and collaborate openly with other designers
• Provide compatibility of their design with manufactures
• Serve in a trustful manner to keep a high rating score and attract more consumers
• Get promotion and loyalty rewards from manufacturers
Manufacturers
Manufacturers are companies or individuals in the business
of 3D Printing and fabrication technologies. They could range
from individuals at home to large multinationals manufactures.
Large or small, no manufacturer has enough power to fulfill
exponential growth in consumer’s demand. Therefore, consumer
can work with as many as manufactures as they want to expedite
manufacturing process and keep up with demands. Manufacturer
roles include:
• Generate products align with their pre-defined specification and accuracy
• Deliver products ordered by consumers to fulfillment centers
• Work directly with designer and consumer to develop compatible product
• Generate products align with their pre-defined specification and accuracy
• Deliver products ordered by consumers to fulfillment centers
• Work directly with designer and consumer to develop compatible product
Incentive for manufacturers
• Get fair prices on their technology and compete openly with
other manufacturers
• Collaborate with other manufacturers
• Promotion from designers to make their device compatible with their work
• Serve in a trustful manner to keep a high rating score and attract more consumers
• Provide attractive promotion and loyalty rewards to acquire and retain consumers
• Collaborate with other manufacturers
• Promotion from designers to make their device compatible with their work
• Serve in a trustful manner to keep a high rating score and attract more consumers
• Provide attractive promotion and loyalty rewards to acquire and retain consumers
Consumers
Consumers are individuals or companies that want to buy
a design or make a high-quality product at cheaper prices.
Consumer can license an idea or a design to get credit every time
other consumer uses their design. Consumer roles include:
• Search for a design listed by designers, make orders for a design or order personalized design and pay for them
• Search for a manufacturer, make orders, and pay for them
• License a design/idea to earn credit and followers
• Participate in feedback requests
• Receive promotion, loyalty, referral and feedback rewards
• Search for a design listed by designers, make orders for a design or order personalized design and pay for them
• Search for a manufacturer, make orders, and pay for them
• License a design/idea to earn credit and followers
• Participate in feedback requests
• Receive promotion, loyalty, referral and feedback rewards
Incentive for consumer
• Order customized designs
• Personalized design and access to designers
• Publish personalized designs (e.g. celebrities design) or brand design to have more follower, earn credit/loyalty and ease of the process for other consumer
• Get orders delivered to the doorstep
• Leave feedback to influence manufacturers/designer
• Get different types of rewards
• Personalized design and access to designers
• Publish personalized designs (e.g. celebrities design) or brand design to have more follower, earn credit/loyalty and ease of the process for other consumer
• Get orders delivered to the doorstep
• Leave feedback to influence manufacturers/designer
• Get different types of rewards
Fulfillment
Fulfillment can be performed by different centers. Fulfillment
center operators are owners or operators of existing warehousing
facilities and/or delivery fleet. They provide the space where
workers take products delivered by manufacturers and assemble
orders. They
• Collect products delivered by manufacturers to fulfillment centers
• Pass orders to couriers
Courier company or as independent contractors, can also follow instructions received via 3D-Chain fulfillment app to pick up orders from fulfillment centers.
• Collect products delivered by manufacturers to fulfillment centers
• Pass orders to couriers
Courier company or as independent contractors, can also follow instructions received via 3D-Chain fulfillment app to pick up orders from fulfillment centers.
Data processing
Products in the consumer markets constitute the basic item
that actions revolve around. Designers include their designs as a
product in the ecosystem and manufacturers rents their devices
on the platform with several defined parameters, such as model,
material, speed, price, description, etc. that makes it easy to find
and choose a 3D Printing or fabrication technology device for
ordering.
To choose between designers and manufacturers, a rating and reputation mechanism should be implemented. Also, information on the network is an asset that could be shared between users to take the benefits of the networks. These main aspects of data processing are explained in detail.
To choose between designers and manufacturers, a rating and reputation mechanism should be implemented. Also, information on the network is an asset that could be shared between users to take the benefits of the networks. These main aspects of data processing are explained in detail.
Rating and reputation
Manufacturers, designers and consumer need some ways
to estimate the reputation of others. This is critical for making
choices regarding everyday transactions in the network, and
it also plays a core role in network governance and resource
allocation.
3D-Chain will provide a rating and reputation mechanism to address these needs. Rating system design system will need to evolve along with the network. Ultimately it may equal or exceed the subtle and comprehensive rating systems; but for starters a system will serve adequately as the initial condition for ongoing refinement.
All parties involved in transactions are asked to rate each other after each exchange of services for tokens (or for other services); however, rating is not mandatory.
3D-Chain will provide a rating and reputation mechanism to address these needs. Rating system design system will need to evolve along with the network. Ultimately it may equal or exceed the subtle and comprehensive rating systems; but for starters a system will serve adequately as the initial condition for ongoing refinement.
All parties involved in transactions are asked to rate each other after each exchange of services for tokens (or for other services); however, rating is not mandatory.
Data ownership and privacy
Most of the large companies draw outsized benefits from
their ability to build and hoard gigantic datasets, which are then
used to extract knowledge from data or even sale them. Outside
of these few tech giants, small, innovative companies struggle
with access to data, while other large organizations, even when
they can gather data, lack the expertise to turn the data into a
usable form.
The platform allows network consumer to collaborate in building very large, decentralized datasets, each contributing data in an agreed-upon format. Contributors can then receive payment from any part of the network that uses the data. Data producers can specify privacy restraints and other restrictions on access and use of their data. By decentralizing ownership and access to gigantic datasets, 3D-Chain takes another important step to democratize access to 3D Printing ecosystems and their benefits.
The platform allows network consumer to collaborate in building very large, decentralized datasets, each contributing data in an agreed-upon format. Contributors can then receive payment from any part of the network that uses the data. Data producers can specify privacy restraints and other restrictions on access and use of their data. By decentralizing ownership and access to gigantic datasets, 3D-Chain takes another important step to democratize access to 3D Printing ecosystems and their benefits.
Artificial Intelligence network: A New Value Chain
With all data available from 3D-Chain’s network, 3D-Chain
generates a new value chain such as big data and the use of
data-gathering sensors (the so-called Internet of Things) for
experts in Artificial Intelligence. New machine learning models
can be developed to fine-tune products based on customer’s
demand. Machine learning helps in products and materials
recommendation, finding similar products, and optimizing a
design for specific fabrication technology. It can also find any flaw
in design or manufacturing automatically. Across manufacturing
industry, 3D-Chain opens doors for many aspects of machine
learning development within the network to increase the
performance and generate revenue for participants. These new
Artificial Intelligence network can make substantial improvement
in manufacturers interaction with consumer and how they
manage their operations.
Conclusion
In this paper we present a new decentralized network to
solve current challenges in fourth manufacturing revolution. We
present a platform for global growth in manufacturing using 3D
printing industry and automated fabrication technologies. By
connecting network of manufacturers with different capabilities
on a decentralized platform, manufacturers, designers and
consumers have the freedom to focus on the application which
will cause the real transformation in the industry.
The platform is called 3D-Chain which is based on blockchain technology, proposes a leaner supply chain and fewer risks by creating a digital supply chain for manufacturing. Moreover, 3D-Chain increase collaboration between existing and future players in its decentralized platform. A co-creation framework which integrates manufacturing (hardware, software, service, …) to drive innovation and serve customers.
The platform is called 3D-Chain which is based on blockchain technology, proposes a leaner supply chain and fewer risks by creating a digital supply chain for manufacturing. Moreover, 3D-Chain increase collaboration between existing and future players in its decentralized platform. A co-creation framework which integrates manufacturing (hardware, software, service, …) to drive innovation and serve customers.
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