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 2, 2011
What are you waiting for? BD+C's 2012 40 Under 40 nominations are due Friday, Jan. 20
Nominate a colleague, peer, or even yourself. Applications available here.
| Dec 2, 2011
Legrand joins White House initiative to spur energy efficiency in commercial buildings
Company agrees to aggressive energy savings and reporting.
| Dec 1, 2011
Nauset Construction breaks ground on Massachusetts health care center
The $20 million project is scheduled to be completed by December 2012.
| Dec 1, 2011
Ground broken on first LEED Platinum designed school house built by volunteers
Phoenix public school receives the generous gift of a state-of-the-art building for student and community use.
| Dec 1, 2011
VLK Architects’ office receives LEED certification
The West 7th development, which houses the firm’s office, was designed to be LEED for Core & Shell, which gave VLK the head start on finishing out the area for LEED Silver Certification CI.
| Nov 29, 2011
First EPD awarded to exterior roof and wall products manufacturer
EPD is a standardized, internationally recognized tool for providing information on a product’s environmental impact.
| Nov 29, 2011
Report finds credit crunch accounts for 20% of nation’s stalled projects
Persistent financing crunch continues to plague design and construction sector.
| Nov 29, 2011
SB Architects completes Mission Hills Volcanic Mineral Springs and Spa in China
Mission Hills Volcanic Mineral Springs and Spa is home to the largest natural springs reserve in the region, and measures 950,000 sf.
| Nov 28, 2011
Leo A Daly and McCarthy Building complete Casino Del Sol expansion in Tucson, Ariz.
Firms partner with Pascua Yaqui Tribe to bring new $130 million Hotel, Spa & Convention Center to the Tucson, Ariz., community.