At the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (DEWA) Research & Development Centre, the Dubai government 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 lab is home to in-house designed and produced rovers and drones.
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."
Waleed Salman, DEWA's Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence, highlighted the R&D Centre's importance in ensuring DEWA's self-sufficiency in terms of creating innovative solutions and technologies.
The centre uses the most cutting-edge Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology, such as 3D printers that use a combination of carbon fibre and fibreglass, CYBE printers, and Markforged Metalx metal printers.
Through workshops and training sessions, the Centre improves 3D printing capabilities. Furthermore, it builds on the expertise of its engineers and researchers and consolidates their additive manufacturing knowledge, bolstering national capacities. The percentage of Emirati researchers at the Centre has risen to 70%.