Enhancing Information Exchange in Distributed Manufacturing Through Blockchain Integration

Distributed Manufacturing (DM) represents a paradigm shift from centralized production toward a network of digitally connected, smaller-scale facilities capable of producing goods closer to the point of use. Industry 4.0 technologies act as catalyzers for DM and enable adaptive and highly customized production, capable of rapid response to customer demand fluctuations. This work explores the integration of blockchain into a DM system. Blockchain technology offers transparency, traceability, and immutability of records, key factors for robust DM systems. The proposed system presents an Additive Manufacturing (AM) scenario where two entities, a Hub and a Remote Cell, collaborate to manage the design, printing, and inspection of orders. A smart contract governs workflow automation and cross-facility coordination, ensuring secure and traceable data exchanges. The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is employed for off-chain storage of large files, such as Computer-aided design (CAD) models and real-time monitoring data from a Fused Filament Fabrication asset Digital Twin (DT), to improve scalability and reduce on-chain transaction costs. The blockchain records order statuses, reports, actions, and the hashes of off-chain data to ensure immutability and traceability. Moreover, a threat model analysis of this work is provided, which identifies potential security risks and describes countermeasures. The proposed system demonstrates how blockchain can enhance automation, transparency, and trust within DM by eliminating the need for centralized control. This work particularly targets small and medium-sized manufacturers, aiming to simplify and standardize DM processes for users with limited technical expertise.