Method of producing an aperture plate for a nebulizer

A method of manufacturing an aerosol-forming aperture plate wafer, the method comprising:

• providing a mandrel of conductive material,
• applying a mask over the mandrel in a pattern of columns,
• electroplating the spaces around the columns,
• removing the mask to provide a wafer of the electroplated material with aerosol-forming holes where the mask columns were,
• wherein said masking and plating steps are followed by at least one subsequent cycle of masking and plating to increase the wafer thickness,
• wherein the at least one subsequent cycle brings the overall wafer thickness up to a level desired according to criteria for removal of the wafer from the mandrel, and/or desired frequency of operation of the aperture plate, and/or physical constraints of an aerosolizing drive,
• wherein the at least one subsequent cycle provides after mask removal:
• spaces at least some of which overlie a plurality of aerosol-forming apertures, and
• a plating material which occludes some of the aerosol-forming apertures, and
• wherein the at least one subsequent cycle is performed according to desired flow rate through the aperture plate.