Using Solana Blockchain and OPC UA for Trusted Third Party Industrial Robot Control Services

Future manufacturing systems are characterized by independent and distributed process steps and equipment. This allows a maximum flexibility in terms of reconfiguration and changeover. However, the control of this equipment like industrial robots, conveyors and other periphery is often implemented on-site next to the devices in fixed control cabinet with proprietary software. One reason is the lack of availability and trust of other sources like online repositories and online control services. The implementation of cryptographic consensus mechanisms (aka Blockchain) in combination with Smart Contracts could close this gap. This work investigates the possibilities of integrating Blockchain technology into an Industrial Robot Control based on a virtual PLC with OPC UA interface. We propose a software gateway that connects to the Solana Blockchain Cluster and the OPC UA server at the same time, allowing to send and receive data between Blockchain and industrial equipment. The Smart Contract, deployed to the Blockchain, is implementing the control logic. The feasibility is demonstrated by driving an Industrial Robot Handling Process with a Solana Smart Contract in laboratory scale.