The third dimension in manufacturing

The UAE has what it takes to carve up an outsized role in this digitised world Special to Gulf News

AM is impacting many industries, and the UAE is no different to other progressive nations in this respect. The challenge is identifying where it adds most value to an organisation. One of the areas that AM will have a direct and noticeable impact on the UAE is inventory management.

Virtual inventories — or what we call “digitising inventory” — has direct financial benefits for all types of companies and industries. A high number of multinationals are venturing into virtual inventories and this is a field that will see AM becoming a key enabler technology along with the software systems that support it.

UPS acquired a multi-technology specialised 3D printing service provider, and in partnership with SAP launched a service called “Direct Manufacturing”, which offers companies actual real time JIT part production. GE Additives started certifying AM providers in different markets to produce parts on their behalf. Over the next few years, this service is projected to grow exponentially and disrupt a number of sectors including logistics and warehousing, redefining the meaning of just-in-time production.

Perfect position

The UAE is perfectly positioned to become a regional centre for AM production. In the same way that Jebel Ali Port transformed Dubai into the regional re-export hub, AM will enable the UAE to become the manufacturing platform for AM parts in the region.

It is important to note that actual 3D printers and machines comprise no more than 40 per cent of an AM process.

A large part of AM’s value is derived from having an integrated AM infrastructure including design optimisation, material qualification and selection, post-production processing, and a mix of different AM technologies. There are seven different 3D printing technologies, and each has its pros and cons.

The materials for 3D printing also vary significantly; in 2009 there were 12 AM materials and today there are over 750 materials to work with.

There is no one size fits all technology in AM. Faced with this variety, many businesses lack the knowledge and confidence to identify the right technology and application to meet their needs. This uncertainty limits a company’s ability to quantify the benefits of the technology and incorporate it into their business.

To drive the adoption of 3D printing in the UAE, AM service providers such as Immensa Technology Labs take away this uncertainty by bridging the gap between expert AM know-how and its practical and viable uses across different industries.

The writer is CEO of Immensa Technology Labs.