3D Printing: World's First 3D-Printed Railway Station In Japan

3D Printing: World’s First 3D-Printed Railway Station Built In Japan

Discover how 3D printing technology is revolutionizing manufacturing, healthcare, and education by enabling rapid prototyping, customization, and cost-effective production across industries.

Context: Recently Japan built a 3D-printed train station in six hours.

What is 3D Printing?

3D Printing is a process of creating three-dimensional objects from digital models by adding material layer by layer. It is also known as additive manufacturing.
It is an additive process, in which layers of a material like plastic, composites or bio-materials are built up to construct objects that range in shape, size, rigidity and colour.
It allows the creation of complex shapes and structures with high precision.

How 3D Printing is done?

The basic principle of 3D printing involves building an object layer by layer.
It starts with a digital model or a computer-aided design (CAD) file, which is sliced into thin cross-sectional layers.
The 3D printer then reads these slices and deposits or solidifies material one layer at a time, gradually building up the final object.
Various 3D Printing Technologies: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Binder Jetting etc.

UPSC PYQ

Q. 3D printing” has applications in which of the following? (2018)