By Brinda Patel
Staff author
Japan was the first country to build a 3D-printed train station on March 26 when a new version of the Hatsushima station in Arida, Japan, was created in less than six hours. The new 3D-printed station replaced an aging wood structure and was put together with pre-printed parts, which were put together by cranes between the departure of the last train and the first access check the next morning, the independent reported.
The years of careful planning brought together the construction, according to reflections. Each element was measured, pre -assembled and rehearsed in advance. All workers knew what to use where they should be and alternatives for the 3D models in case.
The new 3D printed station effectively replaced the existing station after completing the construction work.
All parts of the station were 3D printed offsets from Serendix Inc., a Japanese company that specializes in 3D pressure constructions and produced futuristic structures at high speeds.
The station is a white structure that, according to the New York Times, is associated with a design of a divorce fish and an indication of mandarin orange. The divorce is a specialty of Arida.
In addition, the construction was just a few meters from the old station. Each part was delivered by separate trucks and the crane raised every part to the place where the workers put them together.
“We believe that the importance of this project is that the total number of people required is greatly reduced,” Ryo Kawamoto, President of JR West Innovation, told the New York Times.
The company hopes that the train station will show how the rail service can be waited for remote locations by technological progress and fewer employees.
However, the 56-year-old Toshifumi Norimatsu shared the New York Times a bitter sweet perspective. “I am a little sad that the old station will be removed. But I would be happy if the station could become a pioneer and other stations could benefit from other stations,” said Norimatsu.
The station is 2.6 meters high and, according to the Japan Times, includes an area of 10 square meters.
Srishi Mitra from Yanko Designs said that the layout with open sides will provide several seating areas for humans to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
“The building has an earthquake resistance, similar to that of reinforced concrete houses,” said Jr. West of Japan Times. “The costs for the construction of the building are estimated half of the use of reinforced concrete.”
On March 26, the printed parts of the station were put together in just under three hours, reported futurism. The three hours were a break on the train plan of that day. JR West plans to open the Hatsushima station in July 2025 after ticketing machines were installed.
Together with the 3D-printed train station, Japan is the world leading in public infrastructure, including the Tokyo Sky Tree and the Metropolitan area Outer Underground discharge channel. In addition, the upcoming Shinkansen Bullet Train Network, which the driver can connect with larger cities at a speed of up to 225 miles per hour, is also part of this category.
Jr. West has also mentioned the opportunity to use 3D technology for future restructuring of other outdated stations across the country, according to the economic time.