Part Buyers Authority Issue #3

Top Values of the AS9100 Certification • Documentation requirements demand process consistency & repeatability over a period several years • Sophisticated work tracking & routing system used for every part poured • Includes & exceeds all ISO requirement • Higher confidence in quality & consistency for medical device, instrumentation, as well as AS&D In-house Quality Control: • Metrology grade 3D Scanners, scan to CAD reporting • Chemical and physical metal testing • Digital x-Ray for NDT testing • Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) • Simulation programs for metal solidification and flow While the AS9100 standard defines what must be documented, how to document it, and how often the company gets reviewed – this is still just a standard. Your goal of course is to receive customer communications and response time that exceeds their standards. caliber, consistent, professional individuals. The level of skill, training, and attention to detail is higher all the way through such a shop. Even customer communications and response times are governed by the standard, so these foundries have a higher onus to make castings right, and deliver them on time, than a standard commercial foundry. It is important to have an in-house internal process to track delivery ratings. In one case, they were producing a clock tower casting. While their cost per casting was higher, the higher quality castings delivered allowed the customer to substantially reduce any rework, and eliminated most of the customer’s in-house inspection costs. The net result was a total reduction in the project cost for the customer. New technology makes it easier and more cost effective to meet the AS9100 requirements. Aerospace customers typically purchase castings in lots less than 50 pieces per year, but sometimes higher volume as well. An in-house pattern shop allows them make and change tooling as needed, while maintaining control of confidential customer data. Investments in flexible robotic work cells allow repeatability and tolerance control beyond the typical human worker’s abilities. Welding operations and heat treating are also certified, reducing the number of shops that their customers need to work with on any given casting. Contact: KEVIN VECCHIARELLI [email protected] 17 Visi t partbuyersauthority.com to SUBSCRIBE o r CONTRIBUTE as an author. Helicopter Gearbox