Since demand from the aerospace, space and denfence industries for additively manufactured parts is growing exponentially it would seem logical for any professional and industrial 3D printing service provider to be able to address their requests. That is exactly what Avon Lake, OH, based rp+m did by pursuing and obtaining the AS9100C certification.
Developed by the IAQG (International Aerospace Quality Group), AS9100 is a widely adopted and standardized quality management system for the aerospace, space and defence industries. All major aerospace manufacturers and suppliers require it as a condition to do business with them.
rp+m currently offers a range of different additive technologies, including SLA, SLS/DMLS (the two terms are likely being used to differentiate between 3D Systems’ and EOS’ technologies respectively), FDM and Polyjet by Stratasys, and 3DP binder jetting (for metal and glass) from ExOne.
The decision to pursue the certification arose as a natural consequence of the collaborations and partnership that rp+m has been undertaking with key grant partners in the aerospace industry. The company’s involvement with America Makes, the national AM technology development center established by the Obama administration, also contributed in the decision to seek the AS9100C certificate by further demonstrating the importance of standardization in the AM industry.
To achieve the certification, which was awarded late last month, rp+m partnered with Smithers Quality Assessments (SQA), an accredited quality and environmental management systems certification body, and implemented structures and processes over the previous 12 months to meet the standard requirements of product performance, traceability and uniformity the aerospace space and defense industries require.
“Seeing rp+m grow from a prototyping business in beginning in 2010 into an advanced manufacturing company has been truly amazing. We are fortunate to participate in America Makes and are committed to grow with our aerospace partners in additive manufacturing,” said Matthew K. Hlavin, CEO of rp+m.
