Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

New Framework for Assembly Digitalization and Traceability Using Smart Contracts and Bill of Assembly

Version 1 : Received: 20 December 2022 / Approved: 22 December 2022 / Online: 22 December 2022 (03:24:09 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Cohen, Y.; Rozenes, S. New Framework for Complex Assembly Digitalization and Traceability Using Bill of Assembly and Smart Contracts. Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 1884. Cohen, Y.; Rozenes, S. New Framework for Complex Assembly Digitalization and Traceability Using Bill of Assembly and Smart Contracts. Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 1884.

Abstract

The final assembly of appliances and automotive industries is a rigorous process, that has limited capabilities of full traceability associated with: (1) the parts installed, (2) their fabrication processes, and (3) the assembly work. This is also the case for each of its sub-assemblies The many parts and sub-assemblies that compose the final assembly, make full traceability a challenging fit, that is almost unsurmountable. Such full traceability along the entire supply-chain is not existent today and must be based on documentation of most assembled parts, assembly tasks, and inspection tasks that compose the full assembled product. In addition, security measures are needed to prevent hostile hacking and unauthorized approach to the assembly documentation throughout the entire supply chain. The related documentation and repeated verifications require considerable effort and have many chances for human errors. So, automating these processes has a great value. This article expounds a framework that harnesses block-chain and smart-contract technology to offer traceable and protected documentation of the assembly process. We expand the concept of a Bill-Of-Assembly (BOA) to incorporate data from the bill of materials (BOM), the associated assembly activities, the associated activities’ specification parameters and materials, and the associated assembly resources (machines and/or operators). The paper defines the operation of the BOA with blockchain and smart-contract technology, for attaining full traceability, safety, and security, for the entire assembled product. Future research could extend the proposed approach to facilitate the usage of the BOA data structure in constructing a digital twin of the entire simulated system.

Keywords

Smart Assembly; Smart contract; Assembly line; Assembly 4.0; Assembly system; Block-chain; Digital twin; Industry 4.0; Smart manufacturing

Subject

Engineering, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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