Distributed ledger for additive manufacturing in value chain networks

A computer-implemented method for a distributed manufacturing network, the method comprising:

• learning on a training set of outcomes, parameters, and data collected from a set of distributed manufacturing network entities;
• executing simulations on digital twins of the set of distributed manufacturing network entities to make at least one of:
• classifications, predictions, or optimization-related decisions for the set of distributed manufacturing network entities based, at least partially, on the learned training set, wherein the executing simulations includes executing the simulations on at least one of:
• a part twin, a product twin, or a printer twin of the digital twins for generating a quote for three-dimensional (3D) printing of an item relating to the set of distributed manufacturing network entities;
• using a blockchain to provide a set of unified views of workflow information and transaction information to the set of distributed manufacturing network entities based, at least partially, on the executed simulations on the digital twins;
• generating a smart contract based, at least partially, on the quote;
• and
• using the blockchain to provide at least one of the set of unified views of transaction information including the generated smart contract with respect to the item.

An information technology system for a distributed manufacturing network, the information technology system comprising:

• a smart contract system;
• an additive manufacturing management platform including an artificial intelligence system configured to:
• learn on a training set of outcomes, parameters, and data collected from a set of distributed manufacturing network entities;
• and
• execute simulations on digital twins of the set of distributed manufacturing network entities to make at least one of:
• classifications, predictions, or optimization-related decisions for the set of distributed manufacturing network entities based, at least partially, on the learned training set;
• and
• a distributed ledger system integrated with a digital thread and configured to, using a blockchain, provide a set of unified views of workflow information and transaction information to the set of distributed manufacturing network entities based, at least partially, on the executed simulations on the digital twins,
• wherein the artificial intelligence system further executes the simulations digital twins of the set of distributed manufacturing network entities for generating a quote for three-dimensional (3D) printing of an item relating to the set of distributed manufacturing network entities,
• wherein the smart contract system is configured to generate a smart contract based, at least partially, on the quote, and
• wherein the distributed ledger system is configured to provide at least one of the set of unified views of transaction information including the generated smart contract with respect to the item.