Japanese bullet train operator West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) has announced plans to construct the world’s first 3D printed railway station.
Though set to be less than 10m2 in size, the unique, high-durable structure could turn out to be a trendsetter, with the company considering switching to 3D printing elsewhere on Japan’s railway network. If this came to pass, it would add to the country’s already impressive modern infrastructure reputation, as well as helping cut costs and lead times across its business.
“In this project, we will examine the cost-effectiveness of construction and maintenance in detail,” JR West said in a statement. “We will consider the possibility of expanding to other stations based on the station building to be built this time. The introduction of this technology promotes the planned renewal of railway facilities by responding to the emerging labor shortage.”
JR West plans to build its first 3D printed railway stop at an unmanned site in Wakayama Prefecture. There, its engineers intend to deploy ‘the latest 3D printer technology’ to create a small building from the bottom up. Once the foundation is in place, rebar and concrete filling will be lifted into place using cranes to create a 2.6 (H) x 6.3 (W) x 2.1 (D) meter structure.
Compared to traditional steel and reinforced concrete-based construction, lead times are expected to be much less – at around six hours. In this case, it’s said that 3D printing will also alleviate the need for formwork, allow for the use of stronger build materials, and unlock unique designs that ‘reflect characteristics unique to the region.’
Moving forward, JR West anticipates that the technology could be used to renovate stations across Japan, some of which are now ‘dilapidated wooden buildings.’ The firm’s ambitious new project is also expected to drive it towards its sustainability goals in the years to come.
“We will improve the sustainability of railway infrastructure and steadily move forward towards the realization of ‘safe, secure, and human-friendly transportation’ set out in our long-term vision,” the company added. “Not only in this project, we will aim to innovate railway infrastructure by utilizing cutting-edge technology and provide sustainable transportation services rooted in the region.”
The manufacturing expertise behind the project will be provided by Serendix. Much like industry leaders ICON, COBOD, and Mighty Buildings, the company specializes in construction 3D printing – making it the ideal partner for the job. Once finished, the world’s first 3D printed station could prove an important milestone for JR West… and the wider sector.
