Tuesday 19 March 2024
 
»
 
»
Story

Sheikh Mohammed has launched a major 3D printing initiative.

Dubai to become 3D printing technology hub

DUBAI, April 28, 2016

Dubai aims to become a leading hub of 3D printing technology and by 2030, as much as 25 per cent of buildings in the emirate will be based on this technology, it has been revealed.

The 3D printing technology is capable of transforming the construction sector by lowering costs and reducing the time it takes to implement projects, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has said, according to a Wam report.

"We will raise this percentage with the development of global technology as well as growth of market demand," he said launching the ‘Dubai 3D Printing Strategy’, a unique global initiative that aims to exploit technology for the service of humanity.

He said: "The UAE is presenting to the world today the first integrated and comprehensive strategy to exploit 3D technology to serve humanity. We have also framed practical plans and precise goals to turn the strategy into reality, the reality that will contribute to the progress and prosperity of the world and help preserve our human heritage."

"The future will depend on 3D printing technologies in all aspects of our life, starting from houses we live in, the streets we use, the cars we drive, the clothes we wear and the food we eat," he said, adding, "This technology will create added economic value and benefits worth billions of dollars during the coming period. We should have a share in this growing global market. This technology will restructure economies and labour markets as the use of unskilled labour will come down compared to the current situation, especially in the construction sector. It will also redefine productivity because the time needed for 3D printing of buildings and products will be 10 per cent of the time taken in traditional techniques."

His Highness explained: "It will also help reduce manpower requirements as well as waste generated from construction which can be harmful to the environment. We will also focus on utilising this technology in other vital sectors such as medicine and consumer products to offer goods and services at competitive prices."

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE will continue its quest to achieve global leadership in the adoption of future innovations to launch initiatives that benefit the entire human community.

"Our vision for development is driven by a deep understanding of the future needs, and built on proactive ideas because we want to be in first place globally. Our methodology for development is based on the launch of initiatives that can be applied anywhere in the world and creating a global model for not only our economy but also for the global economy," he said. "The future does not wait for those who hesitate and slow down. The next stage requires us to act fast and utilise the opportunities. A few days ago, we launched the Dubai Future Agenda and we have started to implement it through a number of initiatives and strategies which add value to humanity and our national economy."

The launch of the strategy was attended by Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future; Hamid Mohamed Al Qatami, chairman and director-general of the Dubai Health Authority; Hussein Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, and Ahmad bin Byat, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Dubai Holding.

Sheikh Mohammed added: "Through the 3D Printing Strategy, we aim to make Dubai a global hub for the development of this technology and a base for research and development in this area. We aim to provide the best opportunities for innovation and optimal application of this technology worldwide. Our goal is raise the level of services provided to the people and harness 3D printing for the benefit of the entire community."

He called on all government agencies, private sector companies, universities and research centres to work as a team to establish a universal model in the UAE that will serve as a platform for innovators in this futuristic technology from all over the world.

There are three key sectors and five pillars of the strategy. The three major sectors are Construction, Medical Products, and Consumer Products.

The construction and building sector will focus on lighting products, bases and foundations, construction joints, facilities and parks, buildings for humanitarian causes and mobile homes, in addition to galleries, stores and residential villas. The value of the 3D printing technology based construction sector in Dubai is expected to be about Dh3 billion by 2025. The use of 3D printing in Dubai’s construction sector will increase by 2 per cent starting 2019 and more in the coming years, depending on the development of the technology and its future reliability.

In the medical products sector, the focus will be on developing 3D printed teeth, bones, artificial organs and medical and surgical devices and hearing aids. The value of 3D printed medical products in Dubai is expected to be reach Dh1.7 billion by 2025.

The consumer products sector will focus on household items, optics, fashion jewellery, children's games and fast food. The volume of consumer products printed by 3D technology in Dubai is expected to be about Dh2.8 billion by 2025.

The strategy has five main pillars: Infrastructure, legislative structure, funding, talent and market demand.

The legislative structure pillar will focus on the development of regulatory frameworks for the use of 3D printing technology within various sectors and the specifications of materials that will be allowed to be used in the printing process.

The Infrastructure pillar will aim to provide the right infrastructure and the support of research and development to attract the world's largest companies in this field.

Emphasis will be placed through the talent pillar to build the local talent capabilities of researchers, designers and innovators, and bring the best minds from around the world in the 3D printing field.

The funding pillar will provide financing alternatives as well as investment support to develop the technology and expand its scope of application.

The market demand pillar will promote the application of this technology within various sectors, to bring prices of products to competitive levels while maintaining quality.

The Dubai 3D Printing Strategy will be implemented by many partners, including Dubai Municipality, Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Holding. The strategy is aimed at integrating the efforts of government institutions and the private sector to enhance Dubai’s development by employing innovative local and global expertise in 3D technology. The Dubai Future Foundation will play a major role in organising these efforts and putting them within set frameworks to achieve the strategy.

The global market for 3D printing is expected to reach $120 billion by 2020 and about $300 billion by 2025, driven by research and product development activities and the increasing need for more creativity in the design process.




Tags: Dubai | Buildings | 3D printing |

More Industry, Logistics & Shipping Stories

calendarCalendar of Events

Ads