Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has developed advanced infrastructure and specialised software in 3D printing and additive manufacturing, reducing time and cost and improving efficiency and productivity.
Dewa is the first organisation in the GCC to deploy the highly accurate Markforged Metalx 3D printing based on wire/filament, a Dewa statement said.
Dewa uses 3D printers to produce prototypes and spare parts for Dewa’s generation, transmission, and distribution divisions, and to support the digitisation of its inventory. The R&D Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park supports rapid prototyping through its 3D printer advanced features. It also provides technical solutions, training, knowledge sharing, mechanical testing, techno-economic analysis, and research and development in additive manufacturing.
The centre includes Dewa’s Robotics & Drone laboratory, which is the first building in the UAE to be fully printed onsite, and the first such 3D-printed lab in the world. The lab houses rovers and drones that are designed and built in-house.
“We work on innovating and developing new 3D printing facilities across Dewa’s divisions and draft quality procedure protocols. Dewa’s R&D Centre supports 3D printing of components that can endure high temperatures and harsh weather conditions,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa.
“It includes the latest 3D printing technologies, such as reinforced plastic printers using a mixture of carbon fibre or fibreglass; CYBE printers; and Markforged Metalx metal printers. The Centre strengthens Dewa staff’s capabilities in 3D printing, through workshops and training sessions.
“Besides, it develops the experiences of its engineers and researchers and consolidates their knowledge of additive manufacturing, which supports national capabilities. The number of Emirati researchers at the centre has reached 70 per cent, including 40 male and female researchers, 20 of whom are PhD and master’s degree holders,” added Al Tayer.
Research activities in 3D printing have resulted in publishing one conference paper entitled, ‘Materials for 3D printing in construction’ at the 2nd Annual Conference on 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing. Several research papers are underway which support solar photovoltaic systems, solar power generation, smart grids integration, power efficiency and water.
