On a conveyor belt , parts are photographed in a production line to serialize each item , providing provenance of that item . “ We are not generalizing saying we can identify a class of items , but every item is unique in and of itself ,” Tocci said . Ideally , the part would be serialized after the quality control phase , according to Tocci , after assembly and before it leaves the factory . He added that this process eliminates the need for labels or QR codes ; “ The item itself is its serialization ,” or identifier . He also noted that humans may still want some label or code on an item when reading and using an item . Tocci shared that Alitheon ’ s technology must be integrated into production .
But what about the market for using this software on aerospace parts ? How can manufacturers integrate serialization software into their production line in a highly regulated industry like aerospace ?
With GA Telesis ’ s digital division , Jason Reed focuses on blockchain and Web3 . On www . gatelesis . com , “ GA Telesis , a global leader in aerospace solutions , is renowned for its unmatched excellence in aftermarket services and lifecycle management .” Reed has known Ganzarski for about a year , and when they met , he liked that there is an ability to read a product and move it to a non-fungible token ( NFT ) for traceability in the aftermarket . With their company ’ s blockchain work , they needed a critical visible element of a product placed in a picture format — offered by Alitheon .
The product is marketed through GA Telesis , and the software with FeaturePrint is a function within their overall customer solution . Reed said , “ It ’ s a unique partnership where they develop their product alongside ours to bolt onto our supply chain NFT . The product will be developed at the OEM level , and the serialization photo will follow the product ’ s life .
Alitheon ’ s visual product will follow the life of the product .”
Reed said there has been much fraudulent activity in the aerospace industry . He cited a known aftermarket parts company , which used fraudulent paperwork for parts entering the industry . “ There is a lot of trust in the industry where we need the paperwork to be correct .” He observed that Adobe Pro can overwrite paperwork , meaning parts records can be falsified .
With Alitheon ’ s FeaturePrint software linked to GA Telesis ’ s NFT blockchains , the parts , as manufactured , are serialized at the end of the process , “ From raw material to machining , heat and surface treatments — at the very end is where the part is serialized .” Blockchain is a location in an entirely secure Internet space ; you take a non-fungible token and save the information in multiple places on the Internet , and the NFT is the key to accessing this information .
14 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS