Method for Enabling a Root of Trust in Support of Product Data Certification and Traceability

Trust in product data quality (PDQ) is critical to successful implementation of the model-based enterprise (MBE). Such trust does not extend to the exchange and the reuse of three-dimensional (3D) product models across the product life cycle because verifiable traceability in the product data is lacking. This assurance is especially crucial when “siloed” manufacturing functions produce the product data that is not fully interoperable and thus requires frequent reworking to enable its reuse. Previous research showed how public key infrastructure (X.509-PKI) from the X.509 standard could be used to embed digital signatures into the product data for the purposes of certification and traceability. This paper first provides an overview and review of technologies that could be integrated to support trust throughout the product life cycle. This paper then proposes a trust structure that supports several data transaction types. Then, the paper presents a case study for common configuration management (CM) workflows that are typically found in regulated industries. Finally, the paper draws conclusions and provides recommendations for further research for enabling the product life cycle of trust (PLOT).