On the generation of validated manufacturing process optimization and control schemes

Abstract

Manufacturing process related functionalities, like optimization and control, are in general demanding in terms of data, computational time and efficiency. However, there are no generic certification or validation schemes that can be followed. In particular, only ISO application can verify the suitability of operations up to an extent. The current work utilizes an enhanced version of Blockchain so that functionalities at the process level can be certified as per a particular scheme. The concept of ledger is elaborated to this end, to manipulate knowledge and be able to handle it like an asset that is exchanged. Thus, a specific generic framework is proposed, herein, to reassure that the right kind of information has been exchanged during process control and optimization. Furthermore, expert distributed agents are utilized to turn knowledge into certified procedures. Encryption issues are also regarded, providing safety and security as extra characteristics. The case study of thermal process control is regarded in this sense to prove the complementary character of these concepts and the usability of the framework. Finally, the existence of additional features within this loop is discussed, like the validation of quantifying concepts like resource streams.