Abstract: An etching system for etching openings in a metal web including multiple etching station for etching a metal web from opposite sides, with each of the etching stations including a set of first bank of oscillatable nozzles located in a first chamber in the etching station, with the first bank of oscillatable nozzles having predetermined spacings from one another and operable for directing etchant at a first side of a metal web and a second bank of oscillatable nozzles located in a second chamber in the etching station, with the second bank of oscillatable nozzles having a predetermined spacing substantially identical to the first bank of oscillatable nozzles, with the second set of oscillatable nozzles laterally offset from the first set of nozzles, so they do not spray on directly opposite regions located on the metal web, with the banks of the nozzles in adjacent etching stations offset from each other with the oscillation axis of the nozzles at an angle off normal, so that etchant is sprayed in elliptical p