Leaders of a pioneering undertaking to develop 3D printed infrastructure and elements for the water sector will probably be sharing insights from 5 years of analysis.
The Water Business Printfrastructure undertaking has been led by United Utilities in partnership with ChangeMaker3D, Manchester Metropolitan College’s PrintCity and Scottish Water. Funding got here from Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Problem with Spring Innovation because the knowledge-sharing companion.
The undertaking crew will be part of a showcase webinar facilitated by Spring on 28 November 2024, to focus on learnings and talk about how the analysis, which concludes in early 2025, might be scaled-up to offer resilient and sustainable infrastructure for water.
Each concrete and polymer 3D printing have been explored in a sequence of research for the reason that Printfrastructure undertaking launched in 2023, reaching a number of UK water {industry} firsts. They embody a undertaking headed by PrintCity, a 3D manufacturing facility based mostly inside Manchester Metropolitan College, to create substitute components by 3D scanning, laptop aided design (CAD) and 3D polymer printing.
Three printed objects – a wastewater jet nozzle, CCTV skid plate and trough for water monitoring devices – are being utilized by United Utilities in on a regular basis operations, following rigorous testing and trials. Laboratory gear has additionally been printed and is being utilized by each Scottish Water and United Utilities.
For water firms, the power to print substitute components on demand can tackle challenges round gear availability, supply occasions and rising prices, serving to scale back reliance on suppliers and construct in-house resilience. Quicker undertaking turnaround time, lowered value and decrease environmental impression are additionally key advantages.
One other {industry} first noticed the opening of a short lived 3D concrete printing hub at United Utilities’ Wigan Wastewater Therapy Works in June 2024. The power was created with expertise from 3D print specialists ChangeMaker3D, which started working with United Utilities in 2021 when it was chosen to participate within the firm’s Innovation Lab programme.
The hub printed a variety of concrete infrastructure, together with mixed sewer overflow chambers and Industrial Emissions Directive containment partitions. Printed belongings will probably be used on United Utilities and Scottish Water websites in future. The power was additionally used as an indication facility to showcase the expertise to the water and building sectors, together with different industries.
Findings from the polymer and concrete Printfrastructure research, in addition to the group’s analysis into carbon and social worth and commercialisation of 3D printing, will probably be shared on the upcoming webinar.
Lisa Mansell, chief engineer, innovation and carbon, United Utilities, mentioned: “The Water Business Printfrastructure undertaking is reworking 3D building printing from an innovation into an accessible software to help on a regular basis operations, drive efficiencies and assist meet environmental targets.
“We’re seeing tangible outcomes from the printing processes developed by the undertaking crew, which have potential for adoption at scale. The expertise presents many extra thrilling alternatives for the sector, and we look ahead to displaying simply what is feasible.”
Nick Hurst, technical specialist at Manchester Metropolitan College – PrintCity, mentioned: “This collaborative undertaking helps flip 3D printing into business-as-usual, an strategy that will probably be game-changing for the sector.
“A few of the undertaking’s outcomes – such because the profitable printing of polymer spare components – are already making a distinction on the bottom and delivering vital carbon, value and labour financial savings. PrintCity has been working with the operational groups to boost the designs, enhancing sturdiness and guaranteeing components may be maintained extra successfully.
“Customized components have additionally been designed and 3D printed. Because the undertaking nears completion the showcase webinar is a good alternative for the crew to share insights with the remainder of the sector.”
Ian Watt, capital funding internet zero supervisor, Scottish Water: “The water {industry} is planning to spend a report quantity on infrastructure through the subsequent asset administration interval, with an formidable capital programme that may solely be delivered by new approaches and innovation.
“The Printfrastructure undertaking has proven that 3D building printing can ship a 25% discount in carbon, 20% value saving and 55% discount in labour, versus conventional strategies. Belongings may be constructed rapidly, with a discount in supplies, making a safer, extra environment friendly working setting and serving to meet carbon targets.
“After three years of collaborative analysis, feasibility research and rigorous testing, we’re on the cusp of having the ability to scale-up this thrilling expertise and look ahead to displaying the sector what may be achieved with 3D printing.”
United Utilities: Creating Inexperienced Infrastructure with Water Business Printfrastructure webinar takes place on 28 November 10am-12. To register: https://spring-innovation.co.uk/occasions/united-utilities-creating-green-infrastructure-with-water-industry-printfrastructure/
