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A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | J U N E 2 0 1 6
6
FEATURE
H
eat treatment is a critical part of the manufacturing
process for a wide range of products, such as those
used in consumer goods, power generation, automo-
biles, aerospace, and many others. The quality and safety of
heat treated products is of utmost importance to both the
companies that produce them and consumers. Maintain-
ing global quality standards in heat treating not only helps
ensure the highest quality of components used in aero-
space applications, but also helps heat treaters continually
improve and refine their processes to provide the best prod-
uct quality for all applications. Aerospace Material Specifica-
tion (AMS) standards and Nadcap (National Aerospace and
Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) play key roles
in ensuring thatmanufacturers performing heat treating and
other special processes adhere to consistent, high-quality
standards for producing aerospace products.
A series of articles, beginning with this one, will discuss
questions and challenges that can arise about the Nadcap
accreditation process, specifications involved, and other
process considerations. Recommended best practices and
steps from those who have undergone Nadcap accreditation
are presented to help simplify the process, including:
•
Tips on preparing for internal and official Nadcap
audits, including networking with other suppliers
and establishing an approved quality system.
•
Where to locate key documents and specifications
that help you prepare for the audit process.
•
Review of common nonconformances (NCR) to better
understand certain specifications and requirements.
While every heat treater’s Nadcap audit is
unique (depending on processes, types of equip-
ment, and specific customer spec-
ifications), a Nadcap accreditation
process typically involves:
OBTAINING NADCAP ACCREDITATION:
HELPFULGUIDELINES FOR PASSING YOUR AUDIT
Learn how to simplify the process of obtaining Nadcap accreditation for your heat treating
facility by paying heed to some of the challenges others have experienced.
Nathan Durham,
Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill.
•
Requesting and scheduling an audit
•
Performing an internal audit
•
Implementing corrective actions for findings from the
internal audit
•
Undergoing an official audit
•
Reviewing and responding to NCR findings
•
Applying corrective actions to resolve remaining
issues
•
Receiving Nadcap accreditation
•
Whether participating in a Nadcap audit for the first
time, or going through the reaccreditation process,
many companies continually refine their audit pro-
cess based on NCRs found during the internal and
official audit.
PREPARING FOR AN AUDIT
The Nadcap audit process is lengthy and complex, but
those who adequately prepare are able to make it through
this endeavor without difficulty. Often, the biggest challenge
is knowing where to start. Considering the following prepa-
ratory actions will help:
Locating key documents and specifications.
To prepare
for a quality audit, the first step is to knowwhich documents
Overview of the typical Nadcap accreditation process, which often depends on specific primary contractor specifications, processes,
equipment, andmore. Courtesy of Ipsen.
PART I