JR West, in collaboration with its innovative division and construction technology company Serendix, is set to unveil the world’s first railway station built using 3D printing technology. Located at JR Kisei Line's Hatsushima Station in Arita City, Wakayama Prefecture, this landmark project signifies a major breakthrough in both construction technology and railway transportation.
The station covers a total area of 9.9 square meters and is equipped with two seats, a ticket machine, and a simple IC card gate. Reflecting the unique charm of Yamada City, the walls are adorned with illustrations of the local specialties—mandarins and swordfish—brilliantly showcasing the area's culture.
This construction adopts a prefabricated component method, where parts are manufactured in a factory and then assembled on-site. The Tateo Electric Factory in Minamata City, Kumamoto Prefecture, specializes in creating walls using a special mortar through 3D printing technology, while reinforcing them with steel bars and concrete to enhance structural stability. The curved roof, walls adorned with orange patterns, and T-shaped components integrated with the floor took just 7 days to complete production.
The assembly work commenced right after the last train departed from Chuo Island station one evening and was completed overnight. Trucks delivered the components to the site one by one, where cranes were used for installation. The core material of these components is made from iron rods, which were bonded together using a specialized adhesive, with the foundation laid on the leveled concrete.
The main structure assembly of the roof and walls takes about 2 hours, with approximately 45 minutes dedicated to truck dispatch, leaving just 1 hour and 15 minutes for the actual assembly. Serendix notes that the core work for traditional reinforced concrete stations typically takes 1 to 2 months, but this time the construction period has been significantly shortened, and only a few crane operators were needed to participate.
This innovative architectural technique demonstrates the vast potential of 3D printing technology in infrastructure projects. It can effectively shorten construction time while reducing the demand for manpower. As technology continues to mature, it is anticipated to bring significant benefits to the railway and construction industries.
