Quality without compromise is a core facet of aerospace manufacturing. While anyone can claim quality day in and day out, what matters to manufacturers looking for reliable suppliers is that these claims are backed by irrefutable proof. Finding that proof was once a drawn-out, resource-intensive process in which the manufacturer would conduct their own quality audits on individual suppliers. This technique would often be a timesuck not just for the manufacturer, but for the supplier as well– especially when multiple manufacturers would take the same amount of time to conduct nearly identical audits.
Thankfully, today quality assurance for aerospace manufacturers is as simple as keeping an eye out for the right certifications. Even better, suppliers are now only subjected to a single, recurring audit which covers the needs of all kinds of aerospace manufacturing customers. Today we’ll be discussing some of the most prominent quality certs in the aerospace manufacturing industry, what they entail for manufacturers and suppliers, and how we uphold the expectations of the industry here at Boston Centerless.
Quality Standards in Aerospace Manufacturing
To start, why do these quality credentials matter? For manufacturers and government bodies looking for a supplier, it’s as simple as knowing that you’re working with the best. Selecting a supplier with relevant quality certifications offers peace of mind in many ways, from guaranteeing the composition of precise specialty alloys to ensuring reliability in a given supply chain.
As a supplier, holding the right quality certifications can open the floodgates to countless opportunities in precision manufacturing for aerospace, defense, and more– but this certainly doesn’t come easy. While the processes of each manufacturer and supplier may be vastly different, these standards evaluate the quality control methods used to ensure consistency, regardless of manufacturing methods used. The following are just a couple of requirements and challenges that come with meeting aerospace quality standards for management and manufacturing.
AS9100
One of the most widely recognized certifications in aerospace quality is AS9100. This globally-renowned standard expands on the previously existing ISO 9001, tailoring its requirements to the unique and demanding needs of aerospace manufacturing. This certification indicates that a supplier or manufacturer is operating under an approved Quality Management System to ensure consistent, high-quality workmanship. Obtaining AS9100 certification requires extensive record keeping, to the point where some businesses have entire quality management departments dedicated to maintaining the appropriate resources and implementing standard best practices. For those that are truly striving for excellence, AS9100 certification is only the first step.
Nadcap Accreditation
Established by the Performance Review Institute (PRI) in 1990, the goal of Nadcap accreditation is to minimize redundant auditing of aviation, space, and defense suppliers through a standardized quality-auditing program. Since its inception, Nadcap has become one of the most trusted marks of quality that an aerospace supplier can hold. Nadcap accreditation bears such a high mark that government entities and massive global companies like Boeing, Rolls Royce, and more trust Nadcap-certified businesses as their suppliers of choice. It’s important to note that in order to obtain Nadcap accreditation, a supplier must also have an approved Quality Management System in place. To that end, an AS9100 certification can act as a prerequisite to obtaining Nadcap accreditation in the case of an aerospace supplier.
Obtaining Accreditation for Aerospace Quality Standards
Before seeking any Nadcap accreditation, it is required to have an approved QMS in place. AS9100 is an acceptable QMS for aerospace manufacturing, but requirements may vary across different industries. If an approved QMS is not in place, Nadcap can conduct a separate AQS audit prior.
From that point, there are many different types and levels of certifications that can be pursued through Nadcap. For example, at Boston Centerless we hold a Nadcap NDT Level III accreditation. This means that our non-destructive testing capabilities for verifying material composition are recognized as some of the best in the nation. This applies to both our AccuRod® service and our Skilled Material line.
Looking for a supplier that can meet your requirements? Boston Centerless is Nadcap certified for NDT Level III! Contact us today to learn more about our capabilities.
Precision Grinding in Aerospace Manufacturing
Boston Centerless is a renowned provider of precision ground bar stock, offering materials that meet the stringent requirements of the aerospace industry. Our centerless ground rods are crafted to precise specifications, providing the consistent quality and reliability that aerospace manufacturers demand. This precision ground bar stock ensures uniformity in material properties, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of aerospace components. Here’s how we do it:
The Process
Centerless grinding is a process used to process long bars of material, typically round bar stock. Unlike other processes which hold a workpiece in place with a chuck, clamp, or vise grip, this form of precision grinding keeps the material stable by balancing it between a regulating wheel and a grinding wheel. With the whole workpiece exposed, centerless grinding allows operators to quickly process the entire length of material without having to adjust or reposition the piece. More importantly, it can be used to form material into a shape that is uniform in both roundness and diameter to a far more precise degree than with other methods. This is advantageous in aerospace manufacturing where tolerances are slim and assemblies must fit together precisely for maximum effectiveness.
The Materials
Centerless grinding is most commonly (but not always) used on metallic alloys. In aerospace manufacturing, this includes a heavy emphasis on powerful yet lightweight alloys of aluminum and titanium. There are also times where stainless steel emerges as a viable material, as corrosion resistance is another critical factor in aeronautics applications. The aerospace industry is one of just a few to utilize special alloys as well, each custom engineered for a specific purpose or to utilize a certain property. Superalloys, refractory alloys, memory alloys, and more would all fall under this category. Our unique precision grinding capabilities empower us to handle these specialty materials and more, providing unrivaled quality to our customers in aerospace and beyond.
Don’t let the hunt for special materials slow you down. Leave the material management to Boston Centerless, your total partner in precision manufacturing.
In the aerospace industry, precision grinding is indispensable for meeting quality standards and producing components that can withstand the rigors of aerospace applications. By understanding the intricacies of precision grinding and working with suppliers who adhere to industry standards such as Nadcap, aerospace manufacturers can produce high-quality components that ensure the safety and reliability of their systems. The expertise of quality control managers and the use of precision ground materials, such as those provided by Boston Centerless, are integral to achieving these objectives. If you’d like to find out more about how our proven-quality services can help elevate your manufacturing efforts, contact us today.