Inspection | Shower Inspection Standards and Methods

1. Appearance quality inspection standards

1. Surface quality inspection

• Metal parts inspection:

  • 100% of copper castings must be X-ray inspected to ensure there are no shrinkage cavities or air holes with a diameter greater than 0.5mm.

  • The amount of residual molding sand in the inner cavity is ≤0.1g/dm³ (compressed air blowing method)

  • Electroplating layer thickness detection: nickel layer ≥8μm, chromium layer ≥0.25μm (X-ray fluorescence method)

• Plastic parts inspection:

  • Surface roughness Ra≤0.8μm (measured by laser profiler)

  • No flow marks or weld marks with a length of more than 3mm

  • Color difference ΔE≤1.5 (compared with standard color plate)

2. Safety edge detection

• All contact parts have fillet radius R ≥ 0.5mm

• Use a probe with a radius of 2mm to detect, and there is no sharp feeling when the contact pressure is ≤1N

• The clearance between moving parts is controlled between 3-5mm

3. Assembly quality inspection

• Thread fit: There should be no sticking when screwing in by hand, and the number of screwing turns should be ≥5 turns

• Component clearance: axial movement of moving parts ≤ 0.3mm

• Logo durability: The logo should be clearly legible after the alcohol wipe test

2. Physical properties testing system

1. Fluid performance testing

• Flow characteristics detection:

  • Test pressure point: 0.05/0.10/0.30/0.50MPa four levels

  • Flow rate deviation: rated value ±10% (0.1MPa basis)

  • Spray uniformity: CV value of water outlet flow ≤15%

• Temperature shock test:

  • Hot and cold alternating range: 20℃↔70℃

  • Conversion time ≤ 2 seconds

  • No leakage on the sealing surface after 300 cycles

2. Mechanical strength test

• Tensile test:

  • 500N axial tension maintained for 15 seconds

  • No relative displacement of threaded connection parts

  • Permanent deformation of plastic parts ≤0.5%

• Torque test:

  • Metal threaded joint: ≥20N·m

  • Plastic threaded joint: ≥5N·m

  • After testing, the thread profile integrity rate is ≥95%

3. Durability testing

• Feature Toggle Lifespan:

  • 10,000 cycle tests (2 times/second)

  • Final operating force ≤ 120% of initial force

  • Water flow mode switching accuracy 100%

• Ball joint test:

  • Swing angle ±30°

  • Sealing performance remains after 10,000 times

  • Swing torque ≤1.5N·m

3. Special performance testing

1. Safety protection testing

• Anti-siphon performance:

  • Vacuum degree -0.08MPa for 5 minutes

  • No backflow phenomenon in the observation window

  • TDS value change ≤5%

• High temperature protection:

  • The handle surface temperature is ≤45℃ when the water is discharged at 70℃

  • No deformation after instant high temperature (85℃) impact

2. Comfort level test

• Jet force test:

  • Average ejection force 0.85-1.5N

  • Peak force fluctuation ≤20%

  • Water splash coverage diameter ≥ 300mm (at 0.3MPa)

• Operating force standard:

  • Mode switching force ≤ 22N (conventional model)

  • Disabled people ≤15N

  • Knob operating torque ≤1.0N·m

3. Environmental adaptability testing

• Salt spray test:

  • 96-hour neutral salt spray test

  • No substrate corrosion in the electroplated layer

  • Rating ≥ 8 (ISO 9227)

• Aging test:

  • UV aging 500 hours (QUV-A)

  • Color difference change ΔE≤3.0

  • Impact strength retention rate ≥80%

4. Material and process control

1. Raw material testing

• Copper purity: ≥59%Cu (spectral analysis)

• Plastic pellets: passed ROHS 2.0 test

• Rubber seal: Hardness 70±5 Shore A

2. Production process control

• Injection molding process:

  • Mold temperature control ±2℃

  • Holding pressure monitoring

  • Automatically reject short shots

• Electroplating process:

  • Coating adhesion test (cross-cut method, level 1)

  • CASS test meets the standard in 16 hours

3. Cleanliness control

• Water outlet detection:

  • Aperture tolerance ±0.05mm

  • Test each water outlet with a needle

  • Particle contaminants ≤ 50 μm

V. Packaging and labeling requirements

1. Packaging specifications

• Color box requirements:

  • Drop test height 80cm (corner/edge/surface)

  • Vibration test 3h (5-200Hz random)

  • Moisture-proof packaging humidity ≤60%RH

2. Product Identification

• Subject Identification:

  • Laser engraving depth ≥ 0.2mm

  • Including maximum working pressure, temperature range

  • WEEE signs are clear

• Instruction Manual Contents:

  • Installation torque guideline values

  • Cleaning and maintenance cycle

  • Safety warning icons

6. Testing equipment and conditions

1. Testing environment

• Water quality requirements:

  • Conductivity ≤50μS/cm

  • Particle size ≤5μm

  • pH 6.5-7.5

• Inspection tooling:

  • Pressure sensor accuracy 0.25 level

  • Flow meter error ≤±1%FS

  • Temperature control accuracy ±0.5℃

2. Sampling standards

• AQL level:

  • Fatal flaw: 0 take and 1 return

  • Major flaws: 1.0

  • Minor flaws: 2.5

• Batch Management:

  • First article inspection

  • Process random inspection 2 hours/time

  • Keep a sample of the last piece

Important points to note when implementing this specification: Smart showerheads require additional EMC testing (EN 55014); antibacterial products must pass ISO 22196 antibacterial testing (≥99%). Manufacturers are advised to establish a three-dimensional water flow simulation system to optimize the design of water outlet distribution.