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The aerospace industry has some of the strictest functional and regulatory requirements of any industry, and for good reason. Many parts engineered for aerospace are “mission-critical,” meaning failure could result in extreme damage to equipment and harm to people. For this reason, aerospace components require more specialization and engineers must ensure every aspect of the part will perform consistently, reliably, and according to all necessary specifications.
If a manufacturer wants to create parts for the aerospace industry, they have to meet regulatory requirements, handle vendor certifications, and pass standardized quality checks in order to produce parts. Aerospace components themselves are also held to rigorous standards, testing, and inspections that assess functionality and ensure safety.
AS9100 certification is a particularly important step for manufacturers hoping to create parts for the aerospace industry. What is AS9100 certification? Is there a difference between AS9100 vs ISO 9001? In this article, we’ll break it down.
What is AS9100?
AS9100 is the Quality Management System (QMS) standard for aerospace components. Essentially, it’s a document that provides manufacturers with ways to supply safe, reliable, and fully functional aerospace components. Supported by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), AS9100 sets business standards across the aviation, space, and defense industries. The information in AS9100 outlines ways for organizations to design, develop, and manufacture aerospace products that meet industry and customer requirements.
AS9100 is primarily used by organizations that work directly in or have partnerships in the aerospace industry. This includes manufacturers, designers, quality management teams, as well as other critical roles in the development and production of aerospace components.
The AS9100 standard has undergone four revisions since its initial release in 1999, with the most recent version (AS9100 Rev D) in place since 2016. The regulations outlined in AS9100 are based on the older ISO 9001 standard and at its core, the AS9100 standard is the ISO 9001 standard with additional aerospace-specific requirements. These additions, primarily found in the “Measurement, Analysis, and Improvement” and “Product Realization” sections, are clearly written in bold and italics for differentiation.
An important thing to note about the standards outlined in AS9100 is that they are complementary to applicable customer, statutory, and regulatory engineering requirements. AS9100 outlines additional, aerospace-specific standards that help manufacturers produce high-quality aerospace products.
Benefits of AS9100 certification
Having an AS9100 certification is critical for any business hoping to get involved in the aerospace industry. Being AS9100 certified demonstrates a company’s knowledge of and dedication to creating functional, reliable, and safe aerospace components. Since AS9100 is a worldwide standard, an AS9100-certified company will be seen as a reputable supplier wherever they do business.
AS9100 also helps manufacturers attract new business and expand existing operations. Any AS9100-certified organization has access to large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that source particular kinds of aircraft components. In addition, all AS9100-certified businesses are added to the Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS). OASIS, maintained by the IAQG, is a database that aerospace companies and customers use to find new suppliers. By working with an AS9100-certified partner, you can tap into new markets and pull from the best sources.
The sky’s the limit with an A9100-certified partner
Working with an AS9100-certified manufacturer ensures your aerospace components are safe, reliable, and held to the highest possible standards. AS9100 certification also proves a dedication towards maintaining safe, efficient, and cost-effective methods for high-quality aerospace parts.
At Fast Radius, we take safety and quality seriously, and our business is fully AS9100 certified. Our engineers and designers can help you bring your parts to life. We’ll walk you through the entire manufacturing process — and our facilities support CNC machining and additive manufacturing for aerospace components. Contact us to get started.
Visit the Fast Radius resource center to learn more about aerospace manufacturing, including quality considerations and what makes CNC machining a good fit for the industry.