Digital Manufacturing Centre receives aerospace certifications
27 February 2023
The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) has received a key aerospace certification that demonstrates its commitment to production quality and traceability. Working alongside the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and the Manufacturing Technology Centre, the DMC has been awarded AS9100 Rev D and ISO 9001:2015.
Following a four-day on-site audit by BSi, the DMC received certification on 25 January 2023. It makes DMC one of the few commercial additive manufacturing businesses in the UK to receive the certification.
In meeting the requirements for this Quality Management System (QMS), the DMC has ensured that it is well-placed to meet the current and future needs of the local and international aerospace industry.
While the DMC has been working with partners to service aerospace and space customers since launching in 2021, it now has an independent certification. This means that the DMC can directly supply certified private and government aerospace, space and defence organisations with additively manufactured components and meet the rigorous requirements of these sectors within an international framework.
The journey of obtaining the quality standard started with the collaboration with the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to apply their knowledge of aerospace requirements to the physical quality processes when designing and laying out the DMC as part of the successful DRAMA project.
In 2023, the Digital Manufacturing Centre has certified over 700 different components using our internal PPAP quality approval process for components. The AS9100 forms the foundation of this process from enquiry through to delivery and part lifetime assurance.
AS9100 Rev D is an internationally recognized Quality Management System (QMS) for organisations working in the design, development, production, installation and servicing of the aviation, space and defence sectors. It incorporates and builds upon ISO 9001:2015 with additional quality system requirements to satisfy industry and government customers.
Kieron Salter, CEO of the DMC, commented: “While we have worked with collaborators to supply aerospace and space components, we are now able to work with customers directly. Receiving AS9100 certification, as well as ISO 9001, demonstrates that we have the knowledge and systems in place to supply high-quality parts that meet the standards and requirements of our customers across aviation, space and defence.
“As one of the few commercial additive manufacturing facilities in the UK with extensive metal and polymer capabilities, we are a valuable element of the national advanced manufacturing supply chain. Our unique engineering-led approach with complete traceability and close collaboration with customers has already proven popular with aerospace manufacturers and we look forward to growing those ties.
"Thank you to the teams at Midlands Aerospace Alliance and the Manufacturing Technology Centre for working with us to gain certification.”
For more information about the DMC, click here.