‘Construction Begins March 25, Finished Before First Train Arrives’
Imphal: March 20 : In an innovative leap forward, West Japan Railway (JR West) is set to build the world’s first 3D-printed train station, Hatsushima Station, in just six hours.
The new structure will replace an aging wooden station in Wakayama, located 60 miles south of Osaka, with a modern, single-story reinforced concrete building.
The design features a compact 10-square-meter construction, standing 2.6 meters tall, 6.3 meters wide, and 2.1 meters deep. The walls of the station will display vibrant images reflecting the local culture, including Arida City’s famous oranges and tachiuo fish.
The innovative building process involves a high-tech 3D printer that will create key structural components, including the foundation. Once printed, the pieces will be filled with concrete and transported to the site.
At the location, a crane will assemble the components, bringing the station to life. Remarkably, the entire process, from demolishing the old station to completing the new one, will take only six hours.
Construction is scheduled to begin on March 25, after the last train departs, and the new station will be ready for the first train the following morning.
This groundbreaking project marks a new era in construction technology, demonstrating the potential for rapid and efficient building methods.
