Many machine shops can make a part. Fewer can make a part with the verified process control, risk mitigation, and complete traceability demanded by the world’s most critical industries. This is the difference that AS9100 certification makes, and it’s a cornerstone of how we operate at SONIC.
For an engineer, AS9100 is a language of assurance. For a buyer, it’s your project’s best insurance policy. But what does it mean in practice?
- Proactive Risk Management, Not Reactive Fixes: A key component of the AS9100 standard is a focus on risk. We utilize tools like Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA). Before a single chip is cut, we systematically identify potential failure points in the manufacturing process and implement controls to prevent them. This means we solve problems before they happen, preventing costly delays and ensuring part conformity.
- Unbroken Chain of Custody: The standard mandates rigorous traceability. From the moment raw material arrives with its certifications to the final inspection report of a complex assembly, every step is documented and traceable. If a question ever arises about a part, we can provide a complete history of its journey through our shop and supply chain.
- Vetted and Managed Supply Chain: Your project may require specialized processes, such as heat treating or chemical plating. Our AS9100 certification requires us to manage our suppliers with the same level of scrutiny we apply to ourselves. We partner exclusively with NADCAP-certified suppliers for these critical processes, ensuring that every outsourced step meets the same high bar for quality and process control. You get a single point of accountability for a complex, multi-stage part.
Simply put, our AS9100 certification isn’t just a plaque on the wall. It’s an active, living system that reduces variability, manages risk, and guarantees that the part you designed is the part you receive, every single time.