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In a landmark development for railway infrastructure, a Japanese railway company has utilised 3D printing technology to build a new train station in Arida City. This state-of-the-art facility, Hatsushima Station, has replaced the former wooden structure that had been standing since 1948.
Impressively, the new station was erected in less than six hours, as reported by the New York Times.
Quick Assembly with Modern Tech
Hatsushima Station, which became automated in 2018, caters to around 530 passengers daily, with train services running one to three times per hour. The construction utilised prefabricated components, professionally designed by the construction firm Serendix, on behalf of the railway operators.
The components were produced using cutting-edge 3D printing and reinforced with concrete over a seven-day period in a facility situated in Kumamoto Prefecture, which is approximately 804 kilometres from Arida. These parts were then transported by road, arriving on the evening of 24th March.
Efficient Redevelopment Process
“Typically, construction takes several months, usually undertaken during night-time when train services are paused,” said Kunihiro Handa, co-founder of Serendix, as reported by New York Times. Due to strict regulations, such activities are confined to the night to prevent disruptions.
On a Tuesday night, curious locals gathered to observe this modern marvel. Once the last train departed at 23:57, assembly began in earnest. With a crane, workers positioned the pre-printed mortar segments around the old station site.
New Chapter for Arida
The main building, measuring over 100 square feet, was fully assembled before the first train at 05:45 the next day. While the structure itself stands complete, installations of ticket machines and IC (Integrated Circuit) card readers are currently ongoing.
Anticipated to open for public use by July, the station represents a significant saving in time and cost compared to traditional methods, which would have taken over two months and almost twice the expense.
This innovation comes in response to Japan’s demographic challenges, including an ageing population and a dwindling workforce. “We believe the real value of this project lies in significantly reducing human resource needs,” stated Ryo Kawamoto, president of JR West Innovations, the railway company’s venture capital arm.
