Japanese firms build 3D-printed train station in a week

Japanese companies have built what they call the world's first 3D-printed train station, a compact white curved-roof structure installed in a rural western region. Producing Hatsushima Station's foundations and exterior took just seven days, according to Serendix Corporation, which worked with West Japan Railway Company (JR West) on the project.

The assembly process began after the last train left the station in Arita in Wakayama region around midnight, and everything was done before the first train arrived at around 5 am. Now the interior needs to be finished and ticket gates put in before the station can open. Serendix said it used a "special mortar" to build the station using a construction-grade 3D printer with a robotic arm.