Manufacturing companies are constantly striving to improve the quality of their products and processes in order to gain a competitive edge and gain global recognition. The advent of Industry 4.0 technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cyber-physical systems, and cloud computing has revolutionized the manufacturing industry. However, in order to fully leverage these technologies and bridge the gap, existing quality standards must be digitized to align with the evolving digital manufacturing (DM) technologies.
In a recent study by Antony et al., the evolution of quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) in manufacturing is discussed. The study introduces the concept of Quality 4.0 (Q4.0), which focuses on digitizing quality and integrating Industry 4.0 tools into existing standards and processes. This integration promotes operational excellence, efficiency, and decentralized, flexible, and reliable production processes. The adoption of Q4.0 in DM also enables effective decision-making, prediction, and forecasting by processing vast amounts of data. It facilitates automated monitoring and control, swift data exchange, machine-to-machine communication, and real-time decision-making.
However, the adoption of Q4.0 in DM faces limitations such as data security, traceability, and auditable transactions. To overcome these challenges, blockchain and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) offer promising solutions. Blockchain ensures decentralized and secure transactions through cryptography, ensuring trust, immutability, and traceability. NFTs, on the other hand, provide a means of managing and protecting ownership of digital assets. Leveraging blockchain and NFTs enables the creation of a digital economy, facilitating the trade of digital assets using cryptocurrencies and smart contracts while preserving ownership and authenticity.
While previous studies have discussed the use of blockchain technology to improve QC and QA procedures in traditional manufacturing settings, only a few studies have implemented their proposed systems in the context of DM. Moreover, none of these studies explicitly address the concept of Q4.0 or incorporate NFT technology into their work. This represents a significant research gap in the field.
To address this research gap, the study by Antony et al. defines three research questions
1. What are the key components and participants of a comprehensive quality framework (Q4.0) in the context of DM?
2. What are the specific functionalities encompassed within the system architecture, and how can they be implemented through smart contracts?
3. How can blockchain and NFT technologies impact economic competitiveness and fortify security measures within the DM sector, aligning with the goals of Q4.0 implementation?
The research makes significant contributions to the literature by presenting a blockchain and NFT-based solution for secure and reliable operations with automated tracking and auditing capabilities. The study offers a comprehensive system architecture, sequence diagrams, and detailed algorithms for smart contract functions, effectively implementing Q4.0 principles. The open-source smart contract codes on GitHub enhance transparency and reproducibility. Additionally, the research recognizes the importance of integrating management, leadership, and stakeholder relationships in Q4.0 adoption.
The proposed solution considers security and cost efficiency and explores practical implementation insights. It demonstrates how the implementation of blockchain and NFTs can optimize production, ensure quality, and provide a competitive advantage while maintaining security at a minimal cost.
The study concludes by highlighting the valuable decision support provided to industrialists in the manufacturing industry considering the adoption of Q4.0 in DM. It emphasizes the potential of blockchain and NFTs to revolutionize the manufacturing industry and improve quality processes. The paper also outlines the future plans for implementing and deploying the proposed solution on an actual Ethereum network and evaluating its performance under realistic conditions.
Overall, the study contributes to the ongoing research and discussions on Q4.0 implementation in DM and highlights the importance of incorporating innovative technologies such as blockchain and NFTs to protect intellectual properties and enhance quality management practices in the manufacturing industry.
Reference
AlKhader W.; Jayaraman R.; Salah K.; Sleptchenko A.; Antony J.; Omar M. (2023). Leveraging blockchain and NFTs for quality 4.0 implementation in digital manufacturing. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 34(7), 1208-1234, DOI: 10.1108/JMTM-05-2023-0172.