In Japan, the West Japan Railway Group has utilized 3D printing to quickly build a train station at Hatsushima, near Osaka, completing the structure in approximately two and a half hours. This innovative approach replaced an aging wooden station with a small, hut-like design. Frequently, rural stations face replacement needs, making this method attractive. The construction involved 3D printed formwork filled with concrete and steel for strength, completed faster and at about half the cost of traditional methods. This technique could be used for future infrastructure upgrades, signaling a shift toward modern construction practices.
According to Japan Today, Hatsushima, like many relatively rural stations in the region, had an aging wooden structure that was in need of replacement, and the 3D printed shack which has now taken its place is a similar size.
The rail company carried out construction work after the day's train services had finished, with the job taking about 180 minutes. This, it noted, is "considerably shorter" than it would take with conventional methods.
The Japan Times says the cost for constructing the building is estimated to be half that of using reinforced concrete, and the technique may be repeated when replacing other station buildings.
3D reinforced concrete printing, dubbed "Printfrastructure," was planned to be used by the tunnels contractor for the UK's HS2 high-speed rail line, if it ever gets built at all.
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