Turning showering on its head
The 360 showerhead is now in full production using the same photo etching technology that was used during development
Precision Micro worked with a leading shower manufacturer to develop a precision shower head with 900 holes, each just 0.14mm in diameter, that can produce four different types of spray.
The specialist etching company worked with the shower manufacturer for 12 months on its new 360 showerhead. With a simple flip action the 360 can produce four unique sprays. Rain, Storm, Cloud and Burst.
A high priority was placed by the customer on the quality of the sprays that its showerheads produce. Developing and manufacturing a precision spray plate to generate an even, consistent, gentle "cloud" was a challenge that Precision Micro was pleased to accept.
The small spray plate was designed with no less than 900 0.148mm (+/-0.020mm) precision apertures, 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. Conventional etching techniques could not produce a spray pattern to satisfy the stringent requirements but 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 sprayplates are being manufactured in volume using the same photo etching technology that was used during development and to produce the initial prototypes.Images for this article - click to enlarge
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