The world's first train station built using 3D printing technology

The new terminal was assembled in just over 2 hours.

NIKKEI ASIA SCREENSHOT

According to Nikkei Asia on March 28, West Japan Railway Company and partner Serendix have just assembled the world's first 3D printed train station, with technology that promises to help reduce workload.

The above structure was erected at Hatsushima Station in Arida City (Wakayama Prefecture) within more than 2 hours, before the first train departed on the morning of March 26.

Serendix, based in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, has built about 10 3D-printed houses, but this is the first designed for railways, with space for ticket machines and gates.

The new station was assembled from several prefabricated components, with a 5.5-ton structure consisting of the base and walls, alongside a 2.5-ton decorative wall with a tangerine motif - an Arida specialty - and a 6-ton curved roof.

The above components are made in advance within a week at a partner factory in Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan.

Assembly began after the last train departed from Hatsushima Station at 11:57 p.m. on March 25. With local residents looking on, each part was lifted by crane and carefully placed into place.

The assembly was completed before the departure of the first train of the day in the early morning of March 26, showing a very short rough construction time.

Next, the parts will be connected with plastic and other materials, in addition to installing the electrical system and completing the interior and exterior. The new terminal is expected to open around July, after the current terminal is demolished because it is too old and requires high maintenance costs.

The new technology cuts time and labor, with the assembly process requiring just six people, including the crane operator. Typically, it takes a month or two to build a station just for the main structure. Construction near the tracks can disrupt rail service.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nha-ga-dau-tien-tren-the-gioi-dung-bang-cong-nghe-in-3d-185250328083437681.htm