One of the UAE’s leading 3D printing companies, Generation 3D, have completed one of the largest 3D printed infrastructure projects of its kind globally. Generation 3D have handed over their section of almost one thousand 3D printed rings on the new intersection leading to the Dubai Expo site. The rings also light up the intersection and were created with specialised LED lighting and housings. The rings vary in size from around 60cm diameter up to almost 3m diameter.
“Our client came to us with the challenge of creating these very unique shapes at mass scale, varying sizes and with a need to withstand the sometimes harsh weather conditions here in Dubai” mentioned Co-founder Dominic Wright “The challenge was the design had already been approved however the manufacturing process was undetermined so we suggested 3D printing due to the flexibility and ability to produce the complex shapes”. The inspiration for the 3D ring project came from a ring dating back four thousand years and found by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum explains Co Founder Max Reynard “We had been given the concept designs with the vision of creating rings that mirror an ancient artefact with very unique geometries and facets, so this was a huge design hurdle we had to cross with our very skilled 3D design department”. The rings can be seen along the intersection varying in size and colour and illuminated at night.
“Due to the scale of parts and volume, we used our partners in the UK, Europe, and the US in addition to our own large manufacturing capacity to produce the rings. I’m not sure one infrastructure project has ever needed such a volume of 3D printing globally” Said Max Reynard on the challenges of manufacturing challenges Generation 3D faced “All raw parts were then finished and completed at our in-house facility and checked to ensure consistency across all parts”.
Generation 3D delivered the project over to the main contractor and the Road and Transport Authorities. Both Generation 3D and the RTA are founding members of the 3D Printing Alliance established by the Dubai Future Foundation and inaugurated by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2020. “We are delighted as well that we got to work with one of our partners from the 3D Printing alliance in Dubai on a very sizeable scale, it shows the world that we are leading the way in an application for large scale 3D printing”.
The 3D rings are visible from the Expo 2020 bridge leading to the expo site or Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed road.
Editors’ notes:
Generation 3D specializes in 3D printing, 3D design, and Additive Manufacturing ranging from small to large scale projects. Recognized as one of the world’s leading 3D printing services that caters to architectural, engineering, and design projects across the World from the HQ in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With a range of 20+ highly skilled professionals trained to operate state-of-the-art machinery and equipment to produce the most intricate projects. We also have manufacturing hubs in the UK (Brackley) as well as the USA (Indianapolis)
For More Information, please contact:
Dominic Wright
Partner
Generation 3D LLC
M: + 971 (0) 553192963
T: +971 (0) 4 282 2066