The Dubai Road and Transport Authority’s (RTA) maintenance department has started using 3D printing technology to improve the Dubai Metro transportation network.
Research has been conducted on 3D printing parts for the subsystems of ticket vending machines, ticket gates and other metro assets across the network.
“The 3D printing technology is advancing at a rapid pace across the world and RTA is strongly inclined to be a forerunner in this 3D generation by highlighting the world’s best practices adopted in the rail industry. Future scope includes developments that are required to manage obsolescence, which is a huge burden of any railway worldwide,” said RTA’s Rail Agency CEO AbdulMohsin Ibrahim Younes.
Younes believes that 3D printing would reduce the cost of parts and keep assets in service longer. These savings could be passed down to the customers. Single items could be produced on demand instead of hundreds to justify production cost.
“Using 3D technology stops this waste so the team at the Rashidiya Depot can now produce items made in hundreds singularly. Using 3D technology in a way that means much lower costs as the team can produce items when required and on demand while reducing carbon emissions.”
Currently further discussion is taking place to improve the metro system with 3D printing even larger spare parts.
“Within a short span of time and considering that 3D printing technology is still relatively new, RTA had made quick progress to understand and accept this technology for use while implementing it to save costs, improve quality and ensure continuing availability of the Dubai Metro Rail Systems for its customers for many years to come,” adds Younes.
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