Blockchain-based IoT integration for VAT photopolymerization additive manufacturing process security and transparency

The interaction of blockchain technologies with additive manufacture (AM) processes enabled by IoT, specifically VAT Photopolymerization (VPP), offers innovative means for increased security, transparency, and traceability in industrial production data. The VPP-IoT system discussed in the present study is based on sensor data for monitoring and mitigating VOC emissions. To ensure secure flow and management of sensor data in this system, we implemented a tamper-proof and transparent access system for stakeholders based on blockchain-decentralized and immutable technology. Hyperledger Fabric was used to set up a private blockchain network that worked with IoT sensors to keep track of VOC emissions in real time. Smart contracts were designed to automate data validation, storage, and alert generation processes to maintain compliance with environmental and safety regulations. The blockchain-based system demonstrated high-performance metrics, such as an average transaction throughput of 487.2 tps and data integrity verification success of 99.99%. The results point toward blockchain-IoT integration's potential to improve regulatory compliance, predictive maintenance, and real-time monitoring in VPP additive manufacturing for safer and more sustainable industrial practices. While experimental results established a strong positive correlation between VOC emissions and key printing parameters, such as exposure duration and light intensity, layer thickness showed little effect. This study has broader implications as it promotes the application of Industry 4.0 concepts in a more practical context for VPP additive manufacturing.