Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced that 3D printing has played a significant role in saving an impressive $138,7773 (AED509,658) between 2021 and 2022.
DEWA’s Research and Development (R&D) Centre has been at the forefront of this breakthrough, successfully producing more than 1,800 spare parts for DEWA’s generation, transmission, and distribution divisions using its 3D printing lab.
This achievement not only translates into substantial financial savings but also eliminates the effort and time typically required to replace spare parts. DEWA has managed to reduce the average time for providing printed spare parts to a mere four days, which undoubtedly bolsters the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the esteemed MD & CEO of DEWA, expressed his deep commitment to aligning with the vision and directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. Their shared goal is to keep pace with the disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while offering world-class services that enhance the quality of life in Dubai.
“DEWA supports the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, which aims to harness this promising technology to serve humanity and enhance the position of the UAE to become a global hub for the development of 3D printing technologies,” he said.
“Through our R&D Centre, we are keen to develop 3D printing technologies, additive manufacturing, and other innovative technologies that are used internally to print spare parts for devices and equipment. This reduces procurement time and cost, extends the lifespan of these devices, and promotes innovation at DEWA.”
Al Tayer further highlighted that the 3D printing centre at the R&D Centre is equipped with a range of advanced 3D printing systems capable of manufacturing spare parts tailored to DEWA’s various business units. It boasts an extensive selection of over 20 materials, including metal and high-performance thermoplastics, covering diverse engineering applications.
Waleed Bin Salman, the Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at DEWA, explained that the authority has wholeheartedly embraced 3D printing technology as an innovative solution for constructing models and internally manufacturing spare parts. He noted the common challenges faced by technical sectors worldwide, such as equipment obsolescence or the unavailability of specific spare parts in the market, which typically lead to higher costs associated with replacing entire systems.
Since its inception, DEWA’s R&D Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park has filed an impressive total of 23 patents, out of which six have already been granted. Within this portfolio of patents, three specifically relate to the groundbreaking field of 3D printing.
Furthermore, the Centre has published an impressive number of 157 research papers in reputable international conferences, peer-reviewed journals, and publications, with 14 of these papers specifically focused on the advancements of 3D printing.
The Centre consistently adopts the latest 3D printing technologies, including metal printers and reinforced plastic printers that utilise a combination of carbon fiber and fiberglass. To further enhance the capabilities of DEWA’s engineers and researchers in 3D printing and additive manufacturing, the Centre actively conducts workshops and training sessions in collaboration with major global companies and institutions. Together, they aim to drive forward the frontiers of innovation and unlock the full potential of 3D printing in Dubai and beyond.
