Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) achieved savings of AED 509,658 (US $138,760) between 2021 and 2022 by using 3D printing technology to manufacture replacement parts.
According to the state-owned utilities company, 1,800 spare parts were created for its generation, transmission, and distribution divisions by a dedicated 3D printing lab within its Research and Development (R&D) Centre atn the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, with parts taking just four days to produce on average.
"We work in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to keep pace with the disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and to provide 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 as a global hub for the development of 3D printing technologies.
This reduces procurement time and cost, extends the lifespan of these devices, and promotes innovation at DEWA," says HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA managing director and CEO.
Al Tayer adds the R&D Centre is equipped with multiple 3D printing systems that can manufacture spare parts for multiple engineering applications utilising more than 20 materials including high-performance thermoplastics.
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.
Waleed Bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at DEWA, explains DEWA turned to 3D printing technology initially to produce models internally before rolling out the programme to include production of spare parts.
He believes 3D printing provides a global solution for sectors and manufacturers that are using obsolete equipment with parts that can often cost more to replace than entire systems.
Since its launch, DEWA’s R&D Centre has filed 23 patents, out of which 6 have been granted.
Among the filed patents, 3 are specifically related to 3D printing.
Additionally, the Centre has published 157 research papers in international conferences, peer-reviewed journals, and publications.
Among these publications, 14 research papers focus on 3D printing.
