3D printing is the next big thing: HP

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3D printing is the next big thing: HP
Fadle Saad, the regional manager for the GCC, Egypt and Levant at HP

dubai - Expect to see more large-scale structures rise made with 3D technology

By Alvin R. Cabral

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Published: Wed 17 Oct 2018, 6:16 PM

Last updated: Wed 17 Oct 2018, 8:19 PM

At the Hewlett-Packard stand, 3D printing is a major focus area of the company. But if Fadle Saad is to be asked, the biggest showcase would literally take half of their space.

The reason? He believes that this technology will very soon become a big thing.

"No other technology out there will transform our lives and economies like 3D printing would do," Saad, the regional manager for the GCC, Egypt and Levant at HP, told Khaleej Times at Gitex Technology Week 2018.

He added that we can expect to see more large-scale structures rise made especially with 3D technology, such as the world's first 3D-printed building located in Dubai.

As soon as the Dubai government launched its vision for 3D printing, Saad was "personally surprised by the level of acceptance". "Before it seemed like, 'wow, that's a huge job'. Today, I think it's very achievable - and we're working fast towards that."

HP has been working with certain partners in the UAE, though Saad declined to divulge more information. But what's clear is that these partners are "huge", and that they are all committed to advance this technology.

"By 2030," he adds, "we would see much more modules for buildings that are 3D-printed."

Security must be end-to-end
Meanwhile, Saad also touched on the hot topic of security: we are all concerned with the security of our devices, but sometimes we tend to overlook the fact that making sure our data is safe.

"In terms of security, a lot of investment has traditionally been done on applications, networks and servers," he says. "Now, how many times have you been asked, 'is your printer secure?' It's a question less asked compared to servers or computers."

Saad's point is that security awareness should not just be limited to those machines that are often singled out in attacks; even the simplest of devices - given the audacity of cybercriminals' warfare - can be a target.

- alvin@khaleejtimes.com


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