www.sanliv.com/The styles and designs of bathroom faucets impart a new kind of sophistication in bathrooms. Available with dramatic styling and superior quality these faucets make the bathroom a showplace with designs ranging from traditional, classic to contemporary. Unique manufacturing techniques are used to create these elegant fittings.
The unique styles found in bathroom faucets include antique, Victorian, cross handle, long neck, and other styles. Coming with an extra touch of character, bathroom faucets possess the appearance which will not tarnish, corrode or fade. Available in wide range, these complement all styles of sanitary ware and co-ordinate comfortably with different bathroom themes.
Finishes
Those finishes are preferred that resists corrosion and guarantees that the bathroom taps & faucet will look like new for years after purchasing. Created out of exotic finishes of oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, satin nickel, polished chrome, polished brass, black, white, biscuit, brushed chrome, antique, in metals such as brass, aluminum, copper, cast iron & wrought iron etc., these fulfill the demands of modern bathroom that combines elegance with the performance.
Types
Based on the application we can categorize bathroom faucets as:
- Basin Faucets
- Bidet Faucets
- Lavatory Faucets
- Sensor Faucets
- Shower Faucets
- Sink Faucets
- Tub Faucets
- Wall Mount Faucets
How Faucet Works?
There are two chambers in the faucets from which water flows. The chambers are separated by a hole. The flow of thew water is regulated in most of the faucets by using screw device. By turning the device, washer is push down into the hole between the two chambers. As the washer begins to close the gap it slows down and then finally stops the flow. The screwing action combined with the lever action makes turning it off and on so easy. When the screw is turned by the lever the washer is forced down by few inches. This helps in the checking of water in the pipe until the handle is again turned in the opposite direction.
| Raw Materials For Faucets The basic raw materials used for making faucets are brass, an alloy of copper and zinc. This because it is most resistant to corrosion and calcification. Brass normally contains some alloying elements like bismuth which make the processing easier. Other metals like copper, Chrome, ceramics are also used as raw materials for making faucets. |
Depending on the configuration Faucets can be classified as:
Compression Faucet
In Compression faucet, water is cut off by washer or seal by closing against a valve when the faucet is turned off. In this type of faucet, using two separate handles, hot and cold water is controlled.
Cartridge Faucets
In cartridge faucets, spout is sealed by using, a metal or plastic insert.
Disc faucets
Disc faucets consist of upper disc which is movable and a fixed lower disc. The faucets work by raising and lowering of the disc. Water flows when the upper disc is raised and when the disc is shut off the flow of the water stops. Disc faucets may control the hot and cold water, by using either single handle or double handle.
Ball faucets
Lever is used to operate ball faucet. Lever aligns a slotted ball with inlets in the faucet.
Washer less faucets
Most washer less faucets mix cold and hot water and have a single handle, though disc faucets may have two separate controls. In Washer less faucets washer is absent but there is O ring that provide a seal.
Manufacturing Process
Due to continuous automation, the manufacturing process of faucets have become easier. Productivity and efficiency over the years have increased continuously due to computers involved in production. The basic process involved are forming, finishing and final assembly
Forming Process
This process is used to make faucet bodies. In this process machining is done to shape the body of faucets of different sizes and dimensions. The process involves in the cutting of the bars into short slugs and feeding them into machining center controlled by computers. The operations that is accomplished by the machines are turning, milling, and drilling. The whole process last only for few minutes. For making larger faucets numerous machining operation is done.
Hot forging is another method through which faucets are manufactured. This method is suitable for producing faucets of accurate shape within few seconds and that too without any waste. In hot forging process, metal is heated and then forced into a die. After that minor machining is effected to produce exact dimensions.
Finishing Process
After machining, the parts taken for finishing process. This process is accomplished by a special surface treatment to remove any remaining lead. Lead molecule is eliminated through a leaching process. As chrome is resistant to corrosion hence it is widely used as finishing material. This is done through electroplating technique.
If plating is of brass, a clear polymer coating is applied to improve durability. For different colored finishes, similar polymer or epoxy plastic with color added is sprayed onto the faucet. This is however done in an electrically charged environment.
Physical vapor deposition is used, to achieve a polished brass look. This is done in a vacuum chamber, consisting of four components like a vacuum pump which provides contaminant free environment, a tank which is designed to emit different types of gases, a target rod which acts as the metal source and racks for holding faucet parts.
Target is heated resulting in the vaporization of materials which strike the surface of the faucet at high speed and reacts with the mixture of gases. Color and corrosion resistant is provided by different gases. The gases combine with the target materials to create an indestructible bond.
Assembly
Assembly is a last step which is done after the plating is completed. Both process, manual and automated are used for the assembly. Final assembly takes place in the rotary machine. Faucets are packed in boxes along with any other components that are needed for final installation.
