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What just happened? West Japan Railway Company, JR West, has revealed what it claims is the world’s very first 3D-printed station building. The project is located at Hatsushima Station, on the JR Kisei Main Line, in Arida, Wakayama, and combines cutting-edge technology and cultural sensitivity. It could be a milestone in railway infrastructure.
A new station building is set to open in the summer, replacing a wooden structure that has served rural communities for many years. The reinforced concrete building, which is 2.6 meters high, 6.3 metres wide, and 2 meters deep, was built using 3D printing technology. Serendix, a Japanese 3D-printing specialist, prefabricated four key components including the walls and roof, off-site. They were then transported and assembled in just two-and-a-half hours, between the last night train and the first morning train.
The method involved using a 3D-printer to shape mortar and create formwork for the exterior. The hollow sections were reinforced with steel before concrete was added. This ensured durability and earthquake resistance similar to traditional reinforced concrete buildings, without the use of conventional wooden or metallic formwork. JR West estimates that this approach reduces costs by about 50 percent when compared to traditional reinforced concrete buildings. The exterior of the station features artistic depictions on mikan oranges (a local icon) and tachiuos (beltfish). JR West stressed that the goal was to create a station that residents would love while also aligning it with regional culture. They describe this approach as “regional coexistence.”
Hatsushima Station, chosen for the pilot because of its coastal location, allowed experts to evaluate the structure’s resilience against environmental challenges, such as salty-air exposure. JR West will also assess the long-term maintenance cost and feasibility in its plan to modernize Japan’s railway infrastructure.
JR West plans on expanding 3D printing across its network if it is successful. This innovation is seen as a key part of the company’s long-term vision to provide “safe, secure, and human-friendly transportation” and enhance sustainability.
Image credit: JIJI
