Ensuring Quality and Compliance Throughout Aerospace Parts Manufacturing
A major part of aerospace parts manufacturing is staying up to date with the quality certifications and regulatory compliance required by most of the industry. Industry certifications and compliance are a large part of how aerospace manufacturers ensure the quality of their products. Quality is important in the aerospace industry, not just for marketable products, but also for end-user safety. Safety is a major concern in this particular market, which is why there are unique certifications or regulations necessary for aerospace parts manufacturing.
The difference between certification and compliance
Certification and compliance are two similar terms that are occasionally used interchangeably–but they mean very different things. Companies that claim to be compliant with certain regulations do not necessarily have the proof to show it–meaning they may not have been audited by an accredited third party to ensure they meet the regulations. Companies that go through the certification process do have to be regularly audited and recertified to ensure that they meet the standards set. If a company is certified, then they should be able to produce that certification for customers to view.
Common Aerospace Industry Certifications
The bare minimum that anyone in the industry should meet is the ISO 9001 certification for quality management throughout the shop. ISO 9001 is an excellent standard for any industry, offering standards that can help a company streamline their operations and improve the level of quality that they can offer their customers.
However, most manufacturers in the Aerospace industry are also AS9100 certified. The AS91 family of certifications cover a wide range of product safety, configuration management, and other quality management systems as well–but these certifications are dedicated specifically to the aerospace industry. This not only offers improved product safety, but also helps to prevent counterfeiting and streamlines the manufacturing process.
There are several other types of certifications as well that are common throughout the Aerospace industry, such as those set by Boeing and Lockheed Martin. These are set for specific parts, applications, and tooling for the industry and while they are not always necessary, they are important for specific manufacturers.
It’s important to note that certification is an ongoing process. These, and other certifications are constantly being updated as new technologies and processes are introduced, and manufacturers go through regular audits to ensure they are maintaining the most current version of the certification.
Looking for an aerospace parts manufacturer?
Prospect Group is AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified for the manufacturing of complex molds and dies, custom tooling, and production parts for commercial and defense aerospace applications. We’re also approved by the Boeing BAC5114 and Lockheed Martin 5PT PL10 standards, and have a proven track record of partnering with the largest Aerospace manufacturers in the industry. To partner with us, check out our website to learn more.