Blockchain in manufacturing quality control: A computer simulation study

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 1;16(3):e0247925. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247925. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Blockchain has been applied to quality control in manufacturing, but the problems of false defect detections and lack of data transparency remain. This paper proposes a framework, Blockchain Quality Controller (BCQC), to overcome these limitations while fortifying data security. BCQC utilizes blockchain and Internet-of-Things to form a peer-to-peer supervision network. This paper also proposes a consensus algorithm, Quality Defect Tolerance (QDT), to adopt blockchain for during-production quality control. Simulation results show that BCQC enhances data security and improves defect detections. Although the time taken for the quality control process increases with the number of nodes in blockchain, the application of QDT allows multiple inspections on a workpiece to be consolidated at a faster pace, effectively speeding up the entire quality control process. The BCQC and QDT can improve the quality of parts produced for mass personalization manufacturing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blockchain*
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Manufacturing Industry*
  • Quality Control*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a MOE FRC Tier 1 Grant (Grant no.: WBS: R-265-000-614-114) awarded to C.-K. CHUI by the Ministry of Education (https://www.moe.gov.sg/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.