Business case: Traceability and securing products and components in the energy sector
Context and challenges
In the oil and energy sector, the issues of traceability, maintenance, and product circularity are critical to:
- Optimize the lifecycle of equipment: Track essential information such as product composition, performance, and environmental impact (carbon footprint).
- Reduce logistics and maintenance costs: Enable on-demand manufacturing of spare parts via 3D printing to prevent costly downtime in critical infrastructure.
- Secure data in a blockchain environment: Establish an inviolable link between physical objects and their digital passports to ensure their authenticity and compliance.
Problem to address
Creating a reliable and tamper-proof connection between a physical object (component, spare part) and its digital passport remains a challenge. Current technologies such as RFID, QR codes, or conventional engravings are incomplete when faced with duplication, tampering, or degradation.
S.A.M solution: Physical security and integrated traceability
The S.A.M technology provides a unique solution by integrating physical signatures into objects.
- Inviolable authentication of products and components:
- Each piece or component is authenticated through the integration of the S.A.M Token (additive manufacturing), the unique surface labyrinth and its associated token, or the token bearing its serial number.
- This unique material signature is impossible to duplicate or counterfeit, unlike QR codes or RFID.
- Direct link to a digital passport:
- Scanning the S.A.M labyrinth connects the physical object to its secure digital passport stored on a blockchain.
- Access to data (history, compliance, maintenance) is restricted to authorized parties, ensuring a reliable information chain.
- Integration into 3D-printed components:
- During 3D printing, a S.A.M Token can be embedded within the structure of the part to ensure authenticity and traceability.
- This approach guarantees that only certified parts are used in critical environments.
Use case: Tracking and certifying energy equipment components
An energy equipment supplier uses S.A.M to:
- Certify the authenticity of critical spare parts, such as valves, pumps, or sensors, by embedding a S.A.M physical signature directly onto each component.
- Enable predictive maintenance by linking physical parts to their digital passports stored on a blockchain. Every intervention is securely logged and traceable.
- Secure additive manufacturing: 3D-printed parts produced on-site are certified and verified to avoid counterfeit or non-compliant components.
Benefits for suppliers and operators
- Complete authentication and traceability:
- Ensure that every part used is authentic and compliant.
- Simplify audits and regulatory certifications.
- Cost reduction:
- On-demand manufacturing of spare parts with integrated traceability prevents excess inventory and reduces downtime.
- Minimize errors and returns through quick component verification.
- Data security:
- Scanning the S.A.M labyrinth secures access to critical blockchain data, reducing risks of tampering and fraud.
- Sustainability and circularity:
- Comprehensive tracking of product lifecycles facilitates recycling and end-of-life valorization.
Conclusion
The S.A.M technology provides a robust and innovative solution for securing the traceability of critical equipment in the oil and energy sector. By combining physical authenticity with secure connections to digital passports, S.A.M reduces costs, enhances security, and optimizes the lifecycle management of products.