The West Japan Railway Company, a major railway operator in Japan unveiled a 3D-printed train station in the city of Arida, which it claimed was a world first. 

About 3D Printing

• Definition: 3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three-dimensional objects from a digital file.
• Process: 3D-printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. 
• Differentiator: 3D printing is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing which is cutting out/ hollowing out a block of material with for instance a milling machine.

Advantages of 3D Printing

• Immediate realization of concepts: As soon as designers have a 3D model possible to bring design to life. 
• Less dependency on workforce: Significant for countries like Japan where the workforce is shrinking.
• Customization on demand: It can be done very quickly without altering the entire manufacturing process. 
• Cost-Effective: Savings on material costs, labour and operational efficiency, reduced inventory and warehousing costs, etc. 
• More design freedom: Complex geometries and lattices can be incorporated.
• Other: Eco-Friendly and sustainable, supports on-demand and on-location production, ensures better quality products, etc.