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3D printing has been gaining ground in the construction industry, bringing innovation and efficiency to large projects. Now, this technology will be applied to the construction of the world's first 3D printed railway station, allowing the structure to be completed in just six hours.
Japan is set to make history by building the world's first 3D-printed train station in just six hours.
The structure will be erected during the early hours of March 25, in the short interval between the last train of the night and the first of the following morning.
The chosen location is Hatsushima Station on the Kisei Line in Arita, Wakayama Prefecture.
Technology accelerates construction of Japanese railway station
The innovative method adopted by JR West completely replaces the traditional concrete construction process.
Instead of using wooden or metal forms to mold concrete, 3D printing directly produces the components ready for assembly.
The company responsible for supplying these components is Serendix Inc., a construction company specializing in this type of technology, based in Nishinomiya.
Each piece of the new Hatsushima station will be printed in concrete and then assembled on site. The building will be just one story, measuring 2,6 meters high, 6,3 meters wide and 2,1 meters deep.
According to JR West, this strategy greatly simplifies construction and significantly reduces labor costs and construction time.
The main advantage of this technology is the speed of project execution. Typically, replacing a railway station requires long interruptions to railway services.
With 3D printing, however, it will be possible to complete the entire construction in just six hours, minimizing the impact on users of the railway line.
Flexibility in design
Another positive point of 3D printing highlighted by JR West is the greater flexibility in architectural design.
Unlike traditional techniques, which are limited by standard shapes, 3D printing allows you to create more complex and personalized designs, going beyond the typical rectangular or triangular shapes.
In this way, new stations can be designed taking into account specific characteristics of the location where they will be installed.
JR West explained that the exterior design of the new Hatsushima Station will reflect the particularities of the area, creating a pleasant and functional building for local residents.
Additionally, the station was specifically chosen for its coastal location. The company’s goal is to test the durability of 3D-printed concrete against the wear and tear caused by exposure to salty air.
If performance is satisfactory, the company plans to expand the model to other stations on the rail network in the future.
Sustainability and economy
JR West also believes that the new technology could make rail infrastructure more sustainable.
Ease of assembly and maintenance reduces costs, while rapid construction reduces waste and the use of resources such as electricity and water.
According to a statement released by the company, the experience in Hatsushima will be used as a model to evaluate the costs and benefits of this type of construction.
The idea is to expand the use of this technology not only to replace old installations, but also in new projects.
The 3D printed station represents an important step in JR West's strategy to modernize its rail network.
The company highlighted that it intends to continue investing in cutting-edge technology, always combined with environmental sustainability and the integration of stations with local communities.
After the inauguration, JR West technicians will conduct a detailed analysis of the results obtained with the new station. Operating costs, material resistance, necessary maintenance and user satisfaction will be some of the factors evaluated by the company.
The data obtained from this experiment will be essential to confirm the viability of expanding this technological innovation to other parts of the country.
