3D Printed Faucet from DXV by American Standard Wins Prestigious Platinum A' Design Award

PISCATAWAY, N.J., April 27, 2016

Entries in the A' Design Awards are peer reviewed and anonymously judged by an expert jury panel of leading academics, influential press members and established professionals. Receipt of the esteemed Platinum distinction denotes a world-class design that reflects the attributes of function, reliability, performance, interaction, empowerment, perfection and change.

The DXV Shadowbrook faucet is part of the inaugural collection of 3D printed metal faucets created using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), a revolutionary additive manufacturing process. While this technique has been used to create plastic prototypes for years, these are the first ready-for-market residential faucets printed in metal. This 3D printing process enables avant-garde methods to present water, while completely redefining the user experience when turning on a faucet.

"To receive this high honor from an eminent international program like the A' Design Award and Competition is a notable accolade to all of us at DXV and American Standard," said Maha El Kharbotly, chief marketing officer of LIXIL Water Technology Americas, the global business unit under which DXV and American Standard operate. "Our talented product design team has accomplished a great deal with this 3D printing breakthrough, continuing our 140-year-old tradition of leading-edge design and high-quality craftsmanship. We are extremely proud of this well-deserved recognition for this innovative faucet."

The Shadowbrook 3D faucet stunningly recreates the natural flow of water streaming over rocks in a riverbed, an effect not achievable through traditional faucet manufacturing methods. It required use of cutting-edge Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) technology to meticulously adjust 19 separate waterways to provide the gentle cascading over geometric facets on the spout. This faucet is printed using a computer-guided laser beam that fuses powdered metal into the desired shape with high heat and pressure. A solid metal block gradually rises out of the powder, and is then hand-finished to smooth extraneous metal and reveal the design. In a revival of the tradition of bespoke craftsmanship, each faucet is then hand-finished by an artisan who gives it a rich, fine patina feel that mimics the texture found on antique silver pieces.

These first-of-their-kind 3D printed faucets were recognized for their styling and operational innovation by the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) with their 2016 Best of Show Gold winner in the Bath category.

For more information on the Shadowbrook 3D printed metal faucet, visit www.dxv.com or call (800) 227-2734. For more details on this awards program, visit www.adesignaward.com.