Innovation in tapware design
Using a rather simplistic and reductive definition, a TAP could be described as a device designed to shut off, regulate and resume the flow of a liquid through a pipe. But what expectations should a tap meet? The answer is anything but simple.
Taps have become complex, high-performance systems that are designed to satisfy the requirements of a rapidly-evolving global market, calling for products to quickly transform and adapt.
Continuous requests for modifications and increasingly-complex features, combined with less and less time available for their development, have revolutionised the tapware industry and, consequently, the related design and engineering processes. Complex analysis, design and engineering technologies that were once exclusive to sectors such as the automotive and aviation industries are now becoming common practice in our design and engineering departments, helping us understand the behaviour of a product even before it is born.
Taps have become complex, high-performance systems that are designed to satisfy the requirements of a rapidly-evolving global market, calling for products to quickly transform and adapt.
Continuous requests for modifications and increasingly-complex features, combined with less and less time available for their development, have revolutionised the tapware industry and, consequently, the related design and engineering processes. Complex analysis, design and engineering technologies that were once exclusive to sectors such as the automotive and aviation industries are now becoming common practice in our design and engineering departments, helping us understand the behaviour of a product even before it is born.
3D Printing
One of these technologies is 3D Printing. Providing the first important aid in design and engineering activities, a 3D printer is able to create working prototypes in a variety of different materials, making it possible to see and test the product in its three dimensions very quickly. Indeed, we give customers the possibility of seeing computer drawings transformed into a real-life prototype within 24 hours, offering the opportunity to modify engineering and design details at this stage and thus save on the cost of changes made when production has already started.
3D Software
3D Software designed to simulate the reaction of tap components to stresses is another useful technology that is used to support our design and engineering process. With just the click of a mouse, 3D software allows to simulate the behaviour of a component in a working environment. The image to the left, for example, shows the study that enabled our engineering & design department to optimise the design of the pedal lever (product no. 02064 – wall-mounted) to meet current aesthetical design standards, while also ensuring increased load resistance compared with the previous model, up to 200 kg.
Rendering
Another effective aid in our design & engineering process is photorealistic rendering. Advanced renderings created by very powerful machines using state-of-the-art software offer very realistic images of products that do not as yet exist. This system is used especially to create large-scale room settings, such as for our IDRAL 4All basin: a complete multi-functional wall-mounted solution, also available as side-by-side modular elements for large wall installations. By recreating the room setting, it is possible to place the basins in different positions based on customer requirements, thus providing a clear idea of the finished result.
Idral S.p.a. is a flexible and dynamic company who is able to help you turn your ideas into reality: “The Italian partner for water solutions”.
Idral S.p.a. is a flexible and dynamic company who is able to help you turn your ideas into reality: “The Italian partner for water solutions”.
