Copyright Law: Understanding Intellectual Property

• Managing the Additive Manufacturing Supply Chain 252

Supply Chain Management and AM

• Supply chains consist of companies that exchange information, goods, and services to create and deliver a product to consumers.
• Supply chain management coordinates and optimizes activities from material purchases to final product distribution.
• Additive manufacturing (AM) transforms supply chains by turning digital three-dimensional models into physical objects through layering.
• Raw materials in AM are often powders or pellets that can be reclaimed and reused, potentially saving material costs.
• AM can minimize storage needs, combine production and assembly into fewer steps, and increase responsiveness to customer needs.
• Supply chain managers should consider AM's effects on the supply chain and the total cost of ownership (TCO) of new programs.
• TCO includes the purchase price of an asset plus the costs of operation. By evaluating TCO managers can decide if AM is a worthwhile investment.

Digital Thread and Digital Twin

• A digital thread maintains data on a product from design to final use, providing a comprehensive view of its lifecycle.
• The framework addresses protocols, security, and standards, connecting design, development, maintenance, and consumers.
• A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object. Digital threads work alongside digital twins.
• Supply chains use digital twins as virtual models of processes, which when combined with a digital thread allows manufacturers to quickly adjust to disruptions or inventory issues
• Algorithms manage the constant stream of data, enabling rapid responses to issues in the digital supply chain (DSC), increasing efficiency and reducing the need for human input.

Serialization

• Serialization assigns unique, sequential identifiers to each inventory unit, often as serial numbers or RFID chips.
• Serial numbers can be on individual parts, components, or final products.
• Serialization allows for traceability throughout the supply chain.
• Manufacturers can use serialized codes to track items back to their origins and identify contributing supply chain entities.
• Some codes include data on specific parts used in the product's build.
• Serialization helps guard against counterfeiting and piracy.
• Serialization allows quick consumer recall for quality or safety issues.

Serialization and Additive Manufacturing

• AM machines have specific processing frameworks based on parameters like materials, geometry, and build method.
• Altering processing parameters can create a unique mark within the part material.
• This mark is virtually impossible to replicate.
• Nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques, such as X-rays, are needed to view the unique mark.
• Manufacturers scan and store digital copies of the marks to confirm the part's authenticity.
• Serialization can code and identify both manufactured parts and AM machines, enabling supply chain entities to track build origins.
• It acts as a traceable link between the part and the conditions of its creation.

Review: Supply Chain Management and Additive Manufacturing

• Additive manufacturing: The process of joining or solidifying materials to make an object based on a 3-D computer model.
• Digital thread: An integrated view of all the data and information about a part or product throughout its lifecycle.
• Total cost of ownership: The purchase price of an asset plus the costs of operation.
• Serialization: The process of tagging individual units with unique, sequentially assigned identifiers.

Blockchain

• Blockchain increases traceability, accountability, and security again counterfeits and piracy, all digitally.
• Blockchain is a decentralized, distributed ledger stored on a network of computers.
• It prevents records from being stolen or destroyed, and records the provenance of a digital asset.
• A block in a blockchain acts as a digital serial number and includes three elements:
• Data about the asset's provenance.
• A nonce (a random number generated when creating a block).
• A block header hash (a larger number attached to the nonce).
• Blockchain information is distributed across a network of nodes (computers or electronic devices).
• Every action is reviewable, building user confidence.
• Each contributor has an exclusive alphanumeric identification number that records their transactions, making alterations traceable.

Blockchain and Additive Manufacturing

• In AM supply chains, part designers digitally transmit files to other organizations, which carries cybersecurity risks.
• Blockchain helps prevent design file compromise.
• Blockchain transactions allow for file authentication, transportation, recording, and enable all blockchain members to recognize the origin of design data.
• Engineers use blockchain to apply production rules to design files, specifying build parameters and materials.
• Design files only become accessible to manufacturers once specifications are met.
• Production rules control the number of parts each manufacturer can print and blockchain maintains records of every action throughout the design's lifecycle.
• This allows designers and manufacturers to authenticate a part's origin and address problems in finished parts.

Review: Serialization and Blockchain

• A block from a blockchain contains data, a nonce, and a hash. TRUE
• Blockchains are maintained on one centralized computer system. FALSE
• Blockchain technology allows for increased transparency. TRUE
• Blockchain technology is less secure than serialization. FALSE
• Engineers can use serialization to apply rules about what machines can execute design files. FALSE
• Blockchain allows errors in end products to be traced to their source. TRUE

Class Vocabulary

• Additive manufacturing: (AM). The process of joining or solidifying materials to make an object based on a three-dimensional computer model.
• Additive manufacturing methods typically build up layers of material to create an object.
• Agility: The ability to respond quickly to customer needs and market changes while still controlling costs and quality.
• Agility in manufacturing may be enabled by additive manufacturing.
• Algorithms: A mathematical process designed to systematically solve a problem.
• Complex digital algorithms allow machine learning to predict and regulate operations.
• Block Header Hash: A 256-bit number attached to the nonce when a block is created
• This is an essential element of a block in blockchain technology.
• Blockchain: A growing list of digital records, called blocks, that are linked.
• Blockchain technology is a decentralized, distributed ledger that records the origin of a digital asset.
• Blocks: One identifying unit within a blockchain. Blocks include data and unique identifying numbers.
• Counterfeiting: Imitating fraudulently.
• Counterfeiting involves making an exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud.
• Cybersecurity: Protection against criminal or unauthorized access to computer networks, programs, and data.
• Cybersecurity has become a major industrial concern as networking and connectivity have increased.
• Decentralized: The allocation of resources, both hardware and software, to each individual workstation or office location. Decentralized computer systems are components of a larger computer network.
• Digital Supply Chain: (DSC). A web-based network of computers, companies, and systems that exchange resources to deliver products to customers.
• A digital supply chain connects suppliers and stakeholders throughout the entire product lifecycle.
• Digital Thread: An integrated view of all the data and information about a part or product throughout its lifecycle.
• The digital thread connects information from all aspects of a product into one seamless network.
• Digital Twin: A virtual representation of a physical object, such as a part or machine.
• A digital twin evolves with the object throughout its lifecycle.
• Distributed Ledger: A consensus of replicated, shared, and synchronized digital data geographically spread across multiple sites, countries, or institutions.
• In a distributed ledger, there is no central administrator or centralized data storage.
• Lifecycle: The entire timeline of something.
• In manufacturing, lifecycle includes part design, machine setup, production, quality, and end of life.
• Nodes: Any kind of electronic device that maintains copies of the blockchain and keeps the network functioning.
• Nodes are decentralized and distributed.
• Nonce: A 32-bit whole number randomly generated when a block is created, which then generates a block header hash.
• A nonce is an essential element of a block in blockchain technology.
• Nondestructive Testing: (NDT). A category of inspection processes that evaluate a part's properties and performance using methods that do not damage or permanently alter the part.
• Nondestructive testing methods include visual testing, liquid penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing, eddy current testing, ultrasonic testing, and radiographic testing.
• Piracy: The unauthorized use or reproduction of another's work. Piracy is the illegal copying, distribution, or use of intellectual property.
• Provenance: The place of origin of something.
• Provenance of a digital asset is recorded in blockchain.
• Radio Frequency Identification: (RFID). A technology that uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identity and track tags attached to objects.
• RFID tags consist of a tiny radio transponder, radio receiver, and radio transmitter.
• Regulations: A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.
• Regulations can be set by governmental agencies and industry organizations.
• Regulatory Compliance: When a business follows state, federal, and international laws and regulations relevant to its operations.
• Regulatory compliance varies by industry, as well as the countries where a business sells products.
• Serial Numbers: A unique identifier assigned incrementally or sequentially to an item in a series. Serial numbers need not be strictly numerical and may contain letters or other symbols.
• Serialization: The process of tagging individual units of inventory with unique identifiers that are assigned sequentially to each item.
• Serialization may take the form of serial numbers, RFID chips, or other unique sequential tags.
• Supply Chain: A network of companies that exchange resources, such as materials and information, to deliver products to customers.
• Supply chains consist of a company, its suppliers, its distributors, and its customers.
• Supply Chain Management: The process of planning, implementing, and controlling supply chain activities to achieve maximum customer value and sustain competitive advantage.
• Supply chain management oversees each organization in the supply chain, from development to sourcing to production to delivery.
• Total Cost Of Ownership: (TCO). The purchase price of an asset plus the costs of operation.
• Total cost of ownership helps assess the value of an investment over time.
• Traceability: The ability to verify the history, application, or location of an item using data flows.
• Digital threads enable traceability throughout the entire production lifecycle.
• Virtual: Existing on or simulated within a computer program or system rather than physically existing.
• Virtual representations of real-world objects are known as digital twins.
• X-Rays: A type of electromagnetic wave with a high frequency and short wavelength.
• X-rays are used to view the interior of solid objects during radiographic testing.