Shower head stimulates subcontractor to devise new techniques

The small spray plate was designed with no less than 900 precision apertures of 0.148 mm (+/-0.020 mm), through which the water was to flow smoothly. It was quickly determined that the geometry and shape of each aperture was critical in forming the perfect spray pattern. Developing and manufacturing a precision spray plate to generate an even, consistent, gentle "cloud" was the challenge taken on by Precision Micro. Conventional etching techniques could not produce a spray pattern to satisfy these stringent requirements so Precision Micro's development engineers devised a process to produce controlled, consistent apertures that generate an incredibly fine, even spray pattern with no directional bias. "As Europe's largest specialist etching company we are in the privileged position of being able to devote resource and expertise to development projects such as this," said Anthony Marrett, managing director of Precision Micro. "Only by working hand in glove with customers, on such demanding projects, can we develop and extend our own capabilities." The 360 showerhead is now in full production and uniquely, the spray plates are being manufactured in volume using the same photo etching technology that was used during development and to produce the initial prototypes.