Dubai Municipality has developed guidelines and regulations governing the construction of buildings made with 3-D printing technology, including technique, legislation and building codes.

Essa Al Maidoor, Deputy Director-General of Dubai Municipality and Chairman of Application System of the Construction of Three-Dimensional Printing Technology, said the technology will reduce construction times and wastage of building materials, reported Wam, the state news agency.

He added that the introduction of this technology will also reduce the number of labourers required, who can be re-allocated to other projects.

In May, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, opened a futuristic office for 3-D printing technology. The office in the Dubai International Finance Centre is the first of its kind in the world.

In the same month, the Dubai Health Authority announced plans to create prosthetic limbs for patients for less than Dh400. This followed the launch of the International Centre for 3-D Printing at Dubai Industrial City, also in May.

The value of 3-D-printed medical products in Dubai is expected to top Dh1.3 billion by 2025.

Source: www.thenational.ae