Blockchain Platform Revolutionizes Additive Manufacturing with Secure IP Protection

A new blockchain-based platform is set to revolutionize the additive manufacturing industry by providing a secure way to share designs and protect intellectual property. The platform, developed by Autentica, uses blockchain technology to create trust between original equipment makers, 3D print farms, and buyers.

The platform connects these stakeholders in a marketplace for verified parts, ensuring that designs are protected and tampering is prevented. This is achieved through the use of encrypted file streaming, tamper-proof audit trails, and secure digital threads that link designs, machine settings, and production logs.

Autentica's platform has passed key tests at the UK's National Composites Centre, a leader in advanced materials. The NCC put the platform through real-world tests, checking its ability to securely send files, trace print commands, and protect digital assets. All tests were successful, giving confidence to manufacturers that the platform is secure.

The founder of Autentica, Irma Gilbert, believes that additive manufacturing has great potential for UK supply chains but many small and medium-sized enterprises remain cautious due to concerns about intellectual property and design file security. The platform aims to bridge this gap by providing a trusted digital infrastructure that makes additive manufacturing both safe and accessible.