What Carpenter Electrification's Quality Assurance and AS9100 Means for You

In the ever-evolving world of aerospace and electrification, quality assurance is paramount. Carpenter Electrification, a leader in the industry, recently shed light on its commitment to excellence, particularly its AS9100 certification. While technical in nature, this certification has profound implications for our partners and customers. Let's dive into what this means. 

Understanding AS9100 and Its Relevance to Carpenter Electrification

AS9100 is a widely recognized quality management system tailored for the aerospace industry. While it's rooted in the ISO 9001 standard, it encompasses additional requirements specific to aerospace. For Carpenter Electrification, this isn't simply another certification — it's a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality. 

Being AS9100 certified means we meet and exceed the rigorous standards set for aerospace applications, ensuring that our products are top-notch and consistent in quality. With the introduction of the Motor Technology Center (MTC) in Reading, Pennsylvania where our soft magnetic alloys are melted and processed into strip form, our team is extending our AS9100 credentials already in place for our legacy products.

They are going into mission critical aircraft applications such as rotating disks in jet engines, ensuring that every step, from ideation to quality assurance, meets the rigorous standards set by the aerospace industry.

What is the MTC?

The MTC is the heart of Carpenter Electrification. It's where the magic happens, from ideation to prototyping and finally to high-volume stack production. Our process is meticulous:

• Strip: We begin with Hiperco® iron-cobalt alloy, or a similar high performance alloy, transforming it into a coil of strip.
• Cut to Shape: Precision rotor and stator cutting processes fit to customer designs and production requirements. 
• Treat with Heat: Furnaces heat treat the laminations using our proprietary process recipes, ensuring durability, strength, and optimal magnetic properties.
• Stack: The material is then stacked, ready for the next stages.
• Bond & Cure: A variety of processing pathways are utilized, depending upon customer specifications and requirements, to ensure robust stacks and optimal stack performance.
• Finish: The stacks undergo finishing touches, ensuring they meet our high standards for dimensional tolerance, mechanical integrity, and magnetic performance.
• Test/Quality Assurance: Our commitment to quality is evident in our rigorous testing. We use various equipment, including magnetic, mechanical, optical, and thermal systems, in our two quality labs to ensure our products meet rigid ASTM standards.

The Carpenter Advantage

Before describing how we got certified, it's essential to understand the unique advantages Carpenter Electrification brings to the table. Our approach to quality assurance and material production sets us apart in the industry.

• Integrated Process: Our process is seamless from the ideation phase to prototyping and from stack production to the final testing and quality assurance of stacks. We oversee every step, ensuring that each phase meets our high standards.
• In-House Expertise: We have an in-house team of experts, from mechanical engineers and automation engineers to metallurgists and material experts to quality assurance professionals. This streamlines our operations and ensures that every product meets our stringent quality standards.
• Robust Quality Department: Our centralized quality department is our backbone. With a team of dedicated professionals, they ensure that every product meets the high standards required in the aerospace industry. Their expertise has been instrumental in guiding us through the AS9100 certification process. 
• End-to-End Production: One of our most significant advantages is our ability to oversee the entire production process. From melting alloys to forming them into strips and eventually turning them into stacks for electrification, we manage every step. This comprehensive approach ensures consistency, quality, and efficiency.

The Journey to AS9100 Certification

Achieving AS9100 certification is no small feat. It demands rigorous documentation of processes, stringent controls for non-conformance, and a commitment to risk mitigation. For Carpenter Electrification, this journey began in earnest in 2022 and spanned many months. 

As noted, the certification process scrutinizes every aspect of production. Everything is under the microscope, from employee training to equipment calibration records. This ensures that every product that leaves Carpenter's facility is of the highest quality, meeting the exacting standards of the aerospace industry. The auditing processes — both internal and external — highlighted our dedication to the process and our commitment to continuous improvement.

Setting Ourselves Apart

In an industry where quality can't be compromised, certifications like AS9100 act as differentiators. While ISO 9001 certification is seen as a baseline, AS9100 is a step above. Moreover, our long-standing presence in the aerospace industry and our robust alloy melting, forge and finishing operations position us as a leader in the field.

The Importance of Quality Assurance

Quality assurance isn't just about meeting standards. It's about ensuring that every product we produce is consistent, reliable, and of the highest quality. Our AS9100 certification shows this commitment. From employee training records to equipment calibration and standard operating procedures, we leave no stone unturned in our quest for excellence.

Learn More About Our Process 

At Carpenter Electrification, our commitment to quality isn't just a business strategy. It's a promise to our partners and customers. Our AS9100 certification, in-house expertise, and integrated processes ensure that we deliver nothing but the best. In a world where precision and reliability are paramount, you can trust Carpenter Electrification to lead the way.

If you're interested in learning more about how we provide quality products, please contact our team, and we can discuss our journey, experiences, and insights.