Aerospace-Grade Fasteners by Jergens
Featured Product from Jergens, Inc.
Meeting Lofty Manufacturing Specifications.
Modern manufacturing is guided and certified by many Quality Management Standards (or Quality Management Systems). Together they optimize processes, qualify companies to bid and win new production work, help to ensure best practices, and set up guidelines for worker safety and risk management. The evolution of manufacturing has made it so that QMS certification is virtually mandatory if you’re going to grow business or even stay in business. By and large, that is for good reason, and the best way to proceed if you’re new to it is to get in front of it. And that starts with understanding what each is intended to establish. For the broad range of safety fasteners and applications within aerospace and defense, there are several key directives to know.
Some industries, such as aerospace and defense, raise the certification bar further to suit the critical nature of their businesses. There are several among these, notably AS9100, TAA, DFARS, and ROHS for the European market (and beyond).
Lining Up Your Quality Management Standards
ISO 9001 (Edition 5, 2015) is the most widely used quality management standard in the world with its origins dating back to the mid 1980’s. It provides a comprehensive framework for quality control, process improvement, and problem solving with customer confidence at the center of it all. ISO 9001 certification is through independent third-party companies who conduct periodic audits. In a similar fashion, ISO 45001:2018 provides the foundation for occupational health and safety.
Some industries, such as aerospace and defense, raise the certification bar further to suit the critical nature of their businesses. There are several among these, notably AS9100, TAA, DFARS, and ROHS for the European market (and beyond).
AS9100 is an Aerospace Standard that was released by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) in its latest revision (Rev D, 2016) as the quality management system for the aerospace sector. Based on ISO 9001, this international standard has been modified in numerous ways to specifically address the demands of aviation, space, and defense organizations. AS9100 Rev D compliance is required to manufacture for U.S. companies and government agencies and is confirmed through testing, inspection, and audits.
Also specific to the U.S. is DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) for defense contractors and suppliers. It is required for contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and stresses the critical requirements of cybersecurity to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The level and compliance are determined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Included are milestones for security, reporting, compliance, monitoring, audits, and assessments.
A third important QMS requirement is the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) which focuses on the origin of products (TAA-designated countries only) acquired by the U.S. government to be used in the manufacturing and assembly process. That includes ‘Substantial transformation’, meaning a product that must undergo a significant change in form, fit, or function within a designated country to be considered TAA compliant. Product safety and quality are not monitored or certified by TAA, however compliance is essential for government contract work.
The European Union relies on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive (ROHS) to focus on limiting the use of certain hazardous materials in electrical and electronic devices including lead, mercury, cadmium, and several other substances. Furthermore, ROHS compliance encompasses CE marking, and testing and verification methodology, becoming more globally recognized due to growing international supply and manufacturing.
Putting Cert’s Into Action
With the certification of knowledge and process control, you’re ready to take on the strictest contract work for everything from tank doors to ordinance and landing gear. Adhering to all requirements and following procedure will keep your production on track and within spec. Be sure to keep current and be ready for periodic inspection and recertification. Even the smallest gap anywhere in your value chain can be an undoing. At the same time, rely on your key suppliers for those same certifications, industry knowledge, application support and customer service availability.
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Jergens Inc.
Jergens Inc., is an ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100:2016 certified, global manufacturing leader in Workholding, Lifting and Specialty Fasteners products. Building on its reputation of uncompromising quality standards, Jergens is committed to helping its customers achieve leaner, more profitable manufacturing, and continues to add products and engineered solutions for an integrated approach to “Manufacturing Efficiency”.
Workholding Solutions Group:
Jergens Inc is a global manufacturing leader of CNC machining custom workholding products. Today, you'll find our vises, clamps & fixturing systems, tooling components, at work in just about every segment of the metalcutting industry on every continent. And our innovative engineered solutions like the patented Ball Lock® Mounting System and Fixture-Pro® 5-axis workholding have changed the way manufacturers worldwide think about metalworking productivity.
Lifting Solutions:
Jergens Inc is a global manufacturing leader in producing high quality, safe, strong hoist rings products. Jergens has a history of providing a full range of lifting solutions that include center pull, swivel, and side pull hoist rings styles, adjustable chain lifting slings, pivoting lifting rings, eye nuts, shoulder and swivel eye bolts and Jergens patented LiftCheck hoist rings. With top quality at our center, Jergens lifting solutions are 100% made in the USA, starting with our domestically-produced, certified alloy steel.
Specialty Fasteners:
Jergens Inc is a global manufacturing leader of innovative specialty fasteners for a wide range of applications. With thousands of standard products available, you’ll find our tooling components and fasteners in just about every industry. From fastening pins to our threaded inserts and quick release pins, our user-friendly products are designed with unique, problem solving features that increase efficiency and bring simple solutions to complex applications.
