Secure data storage and service automation for cyber physical production systems through distributed ledger technologies

Abstract

In this paper, we use the blockchain technology to design a prototype to secure process data from a 3D-printer. Datastreams are gathered from various sources such as OPC UA servers and autonomous retrofit sensor nodes. This is followed by pre-processing for data reduction, storage in a data model, and the generation of a unique hash value over it. The hash values are stored in a blockchain using appropriate consensus methods, taking into account their temporal origin and production identification number. This also includes the context-related influence of sensor signals on the production process Restrictive access regulations using smart contracts make a partially or fully automated machine tool calibration possible. In this context, we show to realize a process partial or full automation through smart contracts. Physical machine tools and virtual simulations are integrated into the blockchain network to document the stability and performance.