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Frontiers of Engineering Management

ISSN 2095-7513

ISSN 2096-0255(Online)

CN 10-1205/N

Postal Subscription Code 80-905

Front. Eng    2020, Vol. 7 Issue (4) : 578-591    https://doi.org/10.1007/s42524-020-0137-x
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Application of blockchain in the field of intelligent manufacturing: Theoretical basis, realistic plights, and development suggestions
Qiang ZHANG, Baoyu LIAO(), Shanlin YANG
School of Management, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; Key Laboratory of Process Optimization and Intelligent Decision-making (Ministry of Education), Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
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Abstract

Blockchain technology is considered one of the promising technologies of the information technology era. The core features of blockchain, such as decentralization, transparency, high security, and tamper-proof nature, bring great convenience for large-scale social cooperation and data sharing. Blockchain has a broad application prospect in the field of intelligent manufacturing. The key issues of this field, such as distributed collaborative production, industrial big data sharing and security, transparent logistics, and supply chain, are naturally consistent with the core characteristics of the blockchain technology. This study aims to analyze the application of blockchain in the field of intelligent manufacturing. First, we introduce the basic connotation and applications of blockchain. Then, we propose the theoretical basis for the application of blockchain in the field of intelligent manufacturing. Finally, we point out the realistic plights and provide some suggestions to promote the application of blockchain in the field of intelligent manufacturing.

Keywords blockchain technology      intelligent manufacturing      networked collaborative manufacturing      full life-cycle management      manufacturing model innovation     
Corresponding Author(s): Baoyu LIAO   
Just Accepted Date: 27 September 2020   Online First Date: 29 September 2020    Issue Date: 02 November 2020
 Cite this article:   
Qiang ZHANG,Baoyu LIAO,Shanlin YANG. Application of blockchain in the field of intelligent manufacturing: Theoretical basis, realistic plights, and development suggestions[J]. Front. Eng, 2020, 7(4): 578-591.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fem/EN/10.1007/s42524-020-0137-x
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fem/EN/Y2020/V7/I4/578
Fig.1  Block and blockchain structure.
Fig.2  Traditional centralized data service pattern.
Fig.3  Decentralized data service pattern of blockchain.
Fig.4  The process of POW algorithm.
Fig.5  Asymmetric encryption algorithm flow.
Fig.6  Smart Contract process.
Fig.7  Application scenarios of blockchain.
Fig.8  Applications of blockchain in the field of supply chain.
Core features of blockchain Correlation with intelligent manufacturing
Decentralization, openness, and transparency Resource sharing of networked collaborative manufacturing and distributed manufacturing
Secure encryption and high security Industrial big data circulation and data sharing
Tamper-proof nature and traceability Industry traceability and product life-cycle management
Smart Contract with automatic execution Transfer of manufacturing value and innovation of manufacturing model
Tab.1  Features of blockchain and their correlation with intelligent manufacturing
Fig.9  Applications of blockchain in the field of intelligent manufacturing.
Fig.10  Compatibility of blockchain systems.
Protocol Safety Extensibility Decentralization
Bitcoin ? × ?
Ethereum ? × ?
EOS × ×
Tab.2  Comparison of different blockchain platforms
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