AS9100 - Industry Specific Requirements

AS9100 requires that an organization establish and document a configuration management process. Variations to “key characteristics” of a product must be managed for product fit, performance, service life and manufacturability.

Planning product realization is essential for effective and efficient processes. The standard emphasizes planning for in-process verification when a product can't be verified at a later point. Tooling design must also be considered when process control methodology is used to ensure that process data will be captured.

Plan for design-and-development activities and ensure interim control points during the design process. Design outputs are supplemented to provide identification of key characteristics. The data essential for the product that will be identified, manufactured, inspected, used and maintained is detailed.

AS9100 provides information on areas of design-and-development verification documentation and validating testing and results.

AS9100 includes a number of additional expectations for identifying and maintaining suppliers. Supplier approval is just one step in the process of managing suppliers.

Seven communication requirements are detailed, ranging from clarifying engineering requirements to managing test specimens and right of access to suppliers' facilities.

The means by which a company examines and then accepts products from suppliers is detailed for supplier control. An organization might conduct a receiving inspection, perform the inspection at the supplier's facility or formally delegate product acceptance to the supplier.

The supplier is responsible for managing its suppliers and sub-tier suppliers according to AS9100. This includes performing special processes that are frequently subcontracted to processing houses. The supplier must use customer-approved sources; however, ensuring that the processing is properly performed is the supplier's responsibility.

The decision to pursue AS9100 certification involves a substantial commitment of time and resources. Smithers Quality Assessments recognizes that this is a very personal decision requiring a solution tailored to your needs. To arrange for a SQA representative to review your certification needs, contact us at 330-762-4231 today.

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