JR West to build world first 3D printed train station in a single day

An artists impression of 3D printed concrete train station

JR West have announced plans to build a new train station in just 6 hours using 3D printing.

3D printing is being evaluated as part of project looking into possible ways to rebuild or reconstruct aging station structures in the JR West area, particularly those constructed with wood.

The project will involve JR West, their subsiduary JR West Innovations, and Serendix, a company that specialises in 3D printed construction projects.

Phase one of the project has been finalized and will involve the world’s first instance of a train station being built using 3D printing technology.

A 3D printed concrete house — Construction company Serendix have previously built 3D printed houses

The first use of this technology will be at Hatsushima Station on the JR Kisei Main Line in Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture.

The new station building is planned as a single-story reinforced concrete structure with a footprint of slightly under 10 square meters.

The building will have dimensions of 2.6 meters in height, 6.3 meters in width, and 2.1 meters in depth.

The exterior design incorporates imagery reflective of Arida City’s local produce, specifically oranges, and the tachiuo fish.

The construction process will involve using advanced 3D printing technology to create the building’s exterior shape, including the foundations.

Following the printing phase, the components will undergo a series of post-processing works, which includes reinforcement and concrete filling.

The final assembly of these prefabricated 3D-printed parts will occur on-site at Hatsushima Station where a crane will be used to position and join the sections.

Interior of Kyoto Station — 3D printed stations are unlikely to replace larger buildings, such as Kyoto Station

The estimated on-site construction time for the structural assembly is approximately six hours, scheduled to take place between the last and first train services of a single day.

This method is anticipated to significantly enhance on-site work efficiency and reduce the overall construction timeline compared to traditional construction methods such as steel frame and conventional reinforced concrete construction.

The use of reinforced concrete in the 3D-printed structure is intended to provide durability and resistance to corrosion.

The technology offers increased flexibility when it comes to creating designs when compared to conventional precast concrete methods as it eliminates the need for formwork, allowing for greater freedom in shaping the building’s form.

The exterior design aims to create a station building that is aesthetically aligned with the unique characteristics of the local area and is well-received by residents, thereby contributing to regional integration.

Looking ahead, JR West intend to thoroughly evaluate the cost-effectiveness of both the construction and long-term maintenance of the 3D-printed station building at Hatsushima.

This initial project will serve as a foundational model for potential expansion of this construction technology to other railway stations within the JR West network.

The adoption of 3D printing technology is also seen as a potential solution to address an emerging labor shortage within the construction industry and to facilitate the speedy renewal of aging railway infrastructure.

The companies involved believe that this innovation will contribute to the long-term sustainability of railway infrastructure and support JR West’s overarching vision of providing safe, secure transportation.

Source: Official Website