A trio of 3D printed residential faucets, dubbed the DXV Collection, has been named a 2016 R&D 100 Award finalist in the category of Process and Prototyping. The fixtures are the first ready-for-market residential faucets printed in metal.
The Vibrato, Trope, and Shadowbrook models are created using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), an additive manufacturing process that has been used to create plastic prototypes for years, but the use of DMLS for printing metal prototypes of this nature has not been done before.
A computer-guided laser beam fuses powdered metal into the shape of the desired faucet with high heat and pressure. As a solid metal block arises out of the powder, it is then hand-finished to smooth extraneous metal and reveal the design. An artisan then hand-finishes the design to give it a patina and a feel that mimics the texture found on antique silver pieces.
Each faucet in the collection showcases a unique way of delivering the water and opens up the door for numerous other design possibilities.
In addition to being named an R&D 100 Award finalist, The DXV collection has also been awarded by the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show as the Best in Show Gold winner in the Bath category; a Best of BDwest Product Design Award from Boutique Design; a Platinum A’ Design Award; and a Silver International Design Excellence Award (IDEA).
Related Stories
| Dec 4, 2012
Sto Corp. announces new distributor in the Carolinas
Company will now have coverage in several parts of North Carolina.
| Oct 13, 2012
October 2012: Product Spotlight
Carpeting collection; anti-slip synthetic roof underlayment; louver screens.
| Oct 12, 2012
New HyTronic Edge from Chicago Faucets brings funky, modern aesthetics to restrooms
The Edge spout is cast entirely from ECAST low-lead brass to meet current lead reduction requirements as well as the forthcoming 2014 federal lead reduction law.
| Jul 3, 2012
DORMA Acquires Florida Door Controls in Support of Growth in Southern Markets
DORMA gains one of the nation's largest independent automatic door distributors.
| Jun 12, 2012
Restoration Millwork exterior trim achieves GreenCircle certification
Made from cellular polyvinyl chloride, the full line of Restoration Millwork trim, beadboard and accessories is engineered to look, feel and work like top-grade lumber.
| Jun 8, 2012
Living Building Challenge wins the 2012 Buckminster Fuller Challenge
The Living Building Challenge was chosen from a pool of 122 of entries from around the world.
| Jun 8, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti/Fore Solutions provides consulting for renovation at Tufts School of Dental Medicine
Project receives LEED Gold certification.
| Jun 8, 2012
Allsteel names Kris Yates to head architectural products group
Yates is responsible for the start up, launch and ongoing sales and marketing of Allsteel’s new Beyond movable walls.