December 14, 2006
NADCAP approved machining as9100 approved machining for aerospace
Nadcap Prime Subscription Grows
October 19, 2004
Alenia Aeronautica, Bombardier, BAE Systems, and
Rockwell Collins commit to global Nadcap aerospace quality
The Performance Review Institute (PRI) announces four new major aerospace companies join the Nadcap list of subscribers. Nadcap is an industry-managed program concerned with ensuring that jets and aero-engines are of the highest quality to ultimately protect the flying public. Nadcap is the leading worldwide program of major aerospace companies designed to manage a consensus approach to special processes.
In addition to existing Nadcap members, such as Boeing, Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Honeywell, we welcome Alenia Aeronautica, Bombardier, BAE Systems and Rockwell Collins. Between them, these newcomers are subscribing to a total of eight special processes including: non-destructive testing, heat treatment, materials testing laboratory, chemical processing, welding, nonconventional nmse machining and surface enhancement. This means that their suppliers will be asked to arrange a Nadcap audit for their special process work.
Arshad Hafeez, Nadcap Director of Global Operations said: “We are very excited that Alenia Aeronautica, Bombardier, BAE Systems and Rockwell Collins are now Nadcap subscribers. Their involvement serves to strengthen the existing industry recognition of Nadcap as the global accreditation system for aerospace quality.”
Over 1,350 aerospace suppliers of special processes have been accredited, received certification and are currently listed on the Nadcap Qualified Manufacturer’s List (QML). Since its inauguration, Nadcap has conducted over 11,800 audits with approximately 2,800 audits expected in 2004 alone.
What does Nadcap do?
Nadcap audits aerospace suppliers for special processes including:
Aerospace Quality Systems
NADCAP Approved Chemical Processing (based on AS7108, AS7108/1 and AS71058/2)
NADCAP Approved Coatings (based on AS7109)
Composites (based on AS7118)
Elastomer Seals (based on AS7115)
Fluids Distribution Systems (based on AS7112, AS7112/1, AS7112/2 and AS7112/4)
NADCAP Approved Heat Treatment (based on AS7102)
NADCAP Approved Materials Testing Laboratories (based on AS7101, AC7101/1-9, AC7101/11 and AC7006)
NADCAP Approved Non-Destructive Testing (based on AS7114)
Nonconventional Machining & Surface Enhancement (based on AS7116 and AS7117)
Sealants (based on AS7200/1 and AS7202)
NADCAP Approved Welding (based on AS7110)
How does Nadcap audit and accreditation work?
Nadcap audits are carried out by highly technically qualified auditors with an average of thirty years special process experience in the aerospace industry. When a Nadcap audit is carried out, qualified PRI staff initially review the audit report and work with the aerospace supplier to resolve any non-conformances raised by the auditor.
Once the corrective action submittals have been accepted by PRI, the audit package is forwarded to the Task Group. Each special process has its own Task Group, which is made up of representatives from Nadcap subscribing Prime members. Once they are satisfied with the supplier’s performance, the supplier becomes accredited. Audits are repeated annually until the supplier gains merit and receives an extended accreditation.
Nadcap is a quality initiative representing the industry working together.
Nadcap is an unprecedented cooperative industry effort to improve quality, while reducing costs, for quality assurance throughout the aerospace and defense industries. Nadcap is an industry-managed approach to conformity assessment that brings together technical experts from both industry and government in the Nadcap organisation. Major aerospace contractors, suppliers and representatives from the government work together to establish requirements for accreditation, approve suppliers and define operational program requirements. Unlike traditional third-party programs, Nadcap is an industry-managed program. This process results in a standardised approach to quality assurance and a reduction in redundant auditing throughout the aerospace industry because industry has joined forces to develop a program that:
- Establishes stringent industry consensus standards that satisfy the requirements of all participants
- Replaces routine auditing of suppliers with one approved through a consensus decision-making process of members from the user community
- Conducts more in-depth, technically superior special process audits
- Improves supplier quality throughout industry through stringent requirements
- Reduces costs through improved standardisation
- Utilises technically expert auditors to assure process familiarity
- Provides more frequent audits for major aerospace companies, fewer audits for suppliers
Beneficiaries of improvements resulting from Nadcap are as diverse as Nadcap’s over 1,300 customers. A participating aerospace contractor reports a saving of over $1 million annually while achieving technically superior audits. An accredited Nadcap supplier has tracked a 97% reduction in rework resulting from improvements to his system stemming from Nadcap requirements. Surveys performed on the Nadcap accredited supplier base indicate an average 40% reduction in audits following Nadcap accreditation.
