Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) Opens UAE’s first 3D printing lab
16 August 2021: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) Research & Development Centre has recently launched a Robotics & Drone laboratory. The Robotics & Drone laboratory, according to DEWA, is the first building in the UAE to be totally printed on-site and the first such 3D-printed lab in the world.
The 3D – printed lab is located at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which encourages innovation in all aspects of manufacturing and operations. DEWA has created superior infrastructure and specialised software in 3D printing and additive manufacturing through its R&D Center. DEWA is the first organisation in the GCC to use Markforged Metalx wire/filament 3D printing. This technology is extremely accurate; it saves time and money, increases efficiency and productivity, and promotes DEWA’s innovation.
DEWA employs 3D printers to make prototypes and spare parts for its generating, transmission, and distribution divisions, as well as to help with inventory digitization. The R&D Centre’s powerful 3D printer features facilitate rapid revisions. It also offers technical support, training, information sharing, mechanical testing, techno-economic analysis, and additive manufacturing research and development.
“DEWA’s efforts in innovation, which is a major pillar of its activity, are supported by the R&D Centre. DEWA’s 3D printing efforts have been extensively recognised by utilities all over the world. DEWA invests in these technologies to improve its production and operating capacities. This is due to DEWA’s 3D printing programme, which was chosen as one of the Dubai 10X initiative projects, according to HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, unveiled the initiative, which mandates Dubai’s government to be a global leader 10 years ahead of all other cities. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer remarked, “The programme also supports the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, which is a unique worldwide initiative to employ technology for the service of humanity and promote the UAE and Dubai as a global centre for 3D printing technology by 2030.”
