FEATURE : 3D PRINTING
UAE ’ s strategic location , at the crossroads of global air travel , has made it a desirable location for MRO services , as it can serve as a regional hub for aircraft maintenance , driving creation of setups like Paradigm 3D .
In September Paradigm 3D opened the doors of its state-of-the-art AED20 million 3D-printing facility in Dubai . This is the first such plant in the Middle East capable of producing parts in accordance with the aerospace-specific EASA Part 21G regulation .
As the Middle East ’ s first 3D printing facility certified for aviation flight parts , this move represents a significant step in establishing the UAE as a hub for the fastgrowing additive manufacturing segment .
The Paradigm 3D manufacturing plant is outfitted with industrial 3D printers from Stratasys and will focus on producing component parts for the regional aviation industry . The partnership between Paradigm 3D and Stratasys is supporting the UAE ’ s government ’ s vision of Operation 300bn for its manufacturing sector .
The 10,750 sq ft manufacturing plant will have an initial production capacity of approximately 2,000 units additively manufactured parts per year . This will grow to around 20,000 per year over the next decade . Airlines operate globally , and the Paradigm 3D facility will enable both regional and global aerospace companies to benefit from decentralised and on-demand manufacturing .
Paradigm 3D has partnered with Stratasys ’ Dubaibased Platinum Partner , The Design to Manufacturing Company , theD2Mco and Latvia-based certified aerospace production company , AM Craft which holds an EASA Production Organisation Approval . theD2Mco installed the industrial 3D printers at the new facility and will be responsible for 24x7 uptime and support .
AM Craft will enable Paradigm 3D to become the first qualified manufacturing site outside the European Union under their certification and will support Paradigm 3D in achieving local production approval . This affords the company the ability to offer regional manufacturing capabilities to local airline operators .
Following the anticipated success of the Jabel Ali manufacturing plant with airlines , Paradigm 3D intends to expand its focus into other industry verticals .
Why aviation industry ?
The UAE ’ s strategic location , at the crossroads of global air travel , has made it a desirable location for MRO services , as it can serve as a regional hub for aircraft maintenance and repairs . It means that parts that have been made in Western Europe and the US , can now be made locally within days , and sometimes hours .
UAE has been actively expanding its presence and investment in the aerospace and aviation industry . UAE continues to develop and grow its aerospace capabilities , both regionally and globally . Both Etihad Airways and Emirates , UAE ’ s flagship airlines , are involved and contribute to the growth of the regional aerospace industry .
With the developments of the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub in Dubai , it is clear that a local ondemand producer of certified parts is needed to meet the growing MRO demand in the region .
Globally Boeing , Collins Aerospace , BAE Systems , Airbus , Diehl Aviation , Safran Seats , use additive manufacturing systems from Stratasys . Typical components produced at the facility will include aircraft interior components for seating , lavatories , electronic cooling ducts , environment control system ducting , wire guides , filter boxes , micro vanes , gaskets , component connectors , air intake manifolds and more .
“ What makes Paradigm 3D ’ s facility unique is that it is the only 3D printing service provider in the Middle
Leveraging 3D printing for aviation MRO
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