Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has devised a new 3D printing technology in order to manufacture spare parts for electromechanical systems and cladding materials used in the maintenance of RTA’s roads and its facilities.
Eng. Maitha bin Adai, CEO of the Dubai Government’s Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA, stressed the importance of keeping pace with new technologies and systems in RTA’s operational plans and programs in order to achieve the Dubai Government’s goals of using 3D printing for spare part manufacturing.
Ms. Adai said that, “During the past few months, RTA developed a new initiative and conducted various studies and experiments to increase the availability of spare parts for roads maintenance systems, in cooperation with specialist 3D printing companies.”
Eng. Maitha bin Adai CEO – Traffic & Roads Agency Dubai RTA
“As part of the initiative selected types of spare parts were chosen to be 3D printed; based on specific criteria, such as the lack of spare parts in local markets and taking into consideration safety measures. The initial results of implementing the technology revealed a 50 percent saving in the operational cost of purchasing spare parts. Additional improvements were introduced on the factory-based spare parts on account of historical data analysis, which reduced breakdown rates to record-low levels. 3D printing technology also contributed to reducing the cost of transportation and the time needed to import spare parts to Dubai.”
“The initiative has proved to be successful in extending the sources of spare parts such as propeller fans, control equipment, and cladding for tunnel walls in Dubai’s road facilities,” she further added.
The Traffic and Roads Agency collaborated with three major firms in 3D printing in manufacturing in the early stages of the program in order to establish plans and studies to optimize spare parts manufacturing processes. Further, it intended to ensure their efficiency as required before being used in service in road maintenance and facilities in Dubai.
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