Blockchain

Blockchain is a distributed database system that acts as an “open ledger” to store and manage transactions. Each record in the database is called a block and contains details such as the transaction timestamp as well as a link to the previous block. This makes it impossible for anyone to alter information about the records retrospectively. Also, due to the fact that the same transaction is recorded over multiple distributed database systems, the technology is secure by design. 

There mainly three types of Blockchains that have emerged after Bitcoin introduced Blockchain to the world.

There are some more complicated types also such as public-permissioned blockchain, private-permissioned blockchain etc but I will keep it simple for this discussion.

What is the blockchain cloud manufacturing?

It is distributed and peer to peer network, which used blockchain technology for improve trust and security between end user and service provider.  


References

1:   Li, Zhi, Ali Vatankhah Barenji, and George Q. Huang. "Toward a blockchain cloud manufacturing system as a peer to peer distributed network platform." Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing 54 (2018): 133-144. 

2: Barenji, Ali Vatankhah, Zhi Li, and W. M. Wang. "Blockchain Cloud Manufacturing: Shop Floor and Machine Level." Smart SysTech 2018; European Conference on Smart Objects, Systems and Technologies. VDE, 2018.