Smart and secured investment casting process for better sustainability

Initially, the investment casting process relied on precious alloys to create metallic components for artistic endeavours. Nowadays, it finds applications in various industrial fields such as aerospace, automotive, biomedical, chemical, and defense. The quality of investment castings is largely influenced by several process-related parameters requiring strict control. Most investment casting foundries typically monitor and record these parameters manually, without the use of specialized tools. Nevertheless, the potential for advanced technologies to enhance product quality and process control is still largely untapped. Adopting Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies can provide better process monitoring and control, leading to improved overall performance. However, it is crucial to address security and privacy concerns, particularly when supplying a diverse range of products to multiple clients. This study examines the integration of IIoT and Blockchain technologies within the investment casting sector. A detailed framework for implementing these technologies in real-world investment casting foundries has been proposed and tested. The results show that these technologies enhance monitoring capabilities while ensuring adequate security and privacy. This integration is anticipated to significantly change the traditional investment casting process, often regarded as an art, into a SMART and secure system.