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).
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