What It Means to Be AS9100D:2016 Certified

AIP Precision Machining is proud to officially be AS9100:2016 certified as part of our dedication to quality in machining for aerospace applications. To share what that means, we’ve put together the following article to explain what AS9100D:2019 certification is and how we achieved it.

What is the AS9100D:2016 Standard?

AS9100 is a company level certification based on the ISO 9001 quality standard requirements, but with additional requirements based on the needs of the aerospace industry. These satisfy both ISO 9001 quality standards and DOD, NASA and FAA requirements.

This certification is based on “Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defense Organizations,” a standard published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). A third-party certifying body issues AS9100D:2016 certification. Part of this process includes annual or regularly scheduled audits to ensure compliance with the AS9100 standard.

AS9100D is meant for any organization that does business in the aerospace sector, including suppliers, contractors and manufacturers, such as AIP. It’s an internationally accepted standard, though different countries use their own numbering conventions.

As of this blog, AS9100D:2016 is the most recent version of the AS9100, revising the previous issue, AS9100C.

What about this certification helps AIP Precision Machining serve the aerospace market?

For the past 36 years, AIP Precision Machining has been supplying mission-critical polymer and composite components to Tier 1 through 3 aerospace OEMs. The latest AS9100D certification was required as a means to help open new “doors” in this marketplace for AIP. We were already the global leader for technical know-how and capability when considering supply options for aerospace like services due to our talented and advanced team.

Similar to a job application, great candidates are many times excluded from opportunities due to lacking minimum accreditations. In our journey to offer our talent and services to new US-based or globally located aerospace OEMs, AS9100 certification allows AIP to showcase our capabilities for this market.

“There is no doubt in my mind that AIP is and always had been overly equipped to provide mission-critical precision aerospace components,” said John MacDonald, President of AIP Precision Machining. “It is just that now we have achieved the accreditation to show those who do not know of us that we are capable.”

What about AIP Precision Machining allows us to achieve AS9100D:2016 certification?

“Anyone who tells you that it is not about the people is wrong,” said MacDonald. “Leadership provided the vision and desire to seek out AS9100D certification, but our awesome team at AIP ran the marathon and got us over the finish line. It is also our team who will maintain and continually enhance those key processes to make us better every day at serving our valued customers.”