Font size:
Print
World’s First 3D-Printed Train Station
Context: West Japan Railway Company introduced a 3D-printed train station in Arida, Japan, which it claims to be the world’s first.
More on News
- The new station, Hatsushima, replaced an old wooden complex built in 1948.
- It serves around 530 riders daily and operates on a single line with trains running one to three times an hour.
- The station has been automated since 2018, similar to many smaller stations in Japan.
The 3D-Printing Process
- The station’s components were 3D-printed by construction firm Serendix at a factory in Kumamoto Prefecture, located in the southwestern part of Kyushu Island.
- The 3D-printing and reinforcement with concrete took seven days.
- The preprinted parts were transported 804 km to Hatsushima on March 24, where assembly began once the last train left at 11:57 pm.
- Using a large crane, workers assembled the preprinted components made from a special mortar in less than six hours.
- The station was completed before the first train arrived at 5:45 am.
- While the building structure was finished, interior work and the installation of ticket machines and transportation card readers were still needed. The station is expected to open in July.
Efficiency of the 3D-Printed Station
- Traditional construction methods would have taken over two months to complete and cost twice as much.
- The 3D-printing method allowed for faster, cheaper construction with significantly reduced labour requirements.
Significance of Japan’s Railway System
- Japan’s ageing population and shrinking workforce have led to challenges in maintaining railway infrastructure, especially for older stations.
- The 3D-printed station represents a solution to this problem by showcasing how new technology can help maintain services with fewer workers, especially in remote locations.
- Ryo Kawamoto, president of JR West Innovations, emphasized the project’s importance in reducing the number of people required for construction and maintenance, ensuring continued service without over-relying on a shrinking workforce.
- The Hatsushima Station marks a significant step in the adoption of 3D-printing technology in construction, potentially paving the way for more efficient, cost-effective infrastructure development, especially in regions facing demographic and labour challenges.
