Blockchain and 3D Printing

Blockchain enables improvement in 3D file tracking. Blockchain calculation is near real-time, which makes work on 3D files faster, and synchronized. To create a distributed network of 3D printers worldwide, blockchain ensures security to important amount of data that is exchanged during the 3D printing process. In 3D file preparation, blockchain distributes calculation on several computers. Thus, it helps in speeding up the whole 3D printing process. Moreover, blockchain calculation is near real-time, which makes work on 3D files faster, and synchronized.

3D digital manufacturing inherits several privacy and security-related challenges with multiple stake holders. Blockchain technology can be used for enabling data governance, data provenance (origin), data auditability and data validation in 3D printing.

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, (3D printing), is expected to be significant in the industrial production of goods. AM offers possibilities of shorter time-to-market, improved designs, and the digital nature of the printing process. In order to ensure security of data protection throughout the production process, especially when third parties are involved, blockchain technology enables secure storage and exchange of (digital) assets. The combination of AM technology backed and secured by blockchain applications is set out to bring the AM industry to the next level and thereby add to the increasing industrialisation of 3D printing