Rapid Prototype and Manufacturing, LLC (rp+m), an industry leader in additive manufacturing, materials development, and engineering services, attained certification to the AS9100C Standard.

In addition to the industry sectors they already serve, AS9100C certification enables rp+m to provide production parts and service offering to provide value to companies in the aerospace, space, and defense industries.

rp+m implemented structures and processes to meet the standard requirements over the previous twelve months, achieving certification on August 21, 2014. AS9100C implementation provides rp+m a solid foundation from which to support their continuing growth. rp+m partnered with Smithers Quality Assessments (SQA), an accredited quality and environmental management systems certification body, to achieve certification.

The decision to pursue AS9100C certification arose out of several grant programs rp+m has been involved with over the previous two years. Partnerships with key grant partners in the aerospace industry, as well as natural follow-on business resulting from development work, made pursuit of AS9100C a natural next step for business growth.  “Seeing rp+m grow from a prototyping business in beginning in 2010 into an advanced manufacturing company has been truly amazing.  We are fortunate to participate in America Makes and are committed to grow with our aerospace partners in additive manufacturing,” said Matthew K. Hlavin, CEO of rp+m.

America Makes, one of the national technology development centers instituted by the Obama administration, has driven the focus to develop and mature additive manufacturing for use in highly regulated industries like aerospace through grant programs, community outreach, technology development, and industry collaboration. rp+m’s involvement with America Makes solidified the decision to seek AS9100C and demonstrated the importance of implementing standardization within additive manufacturing.

A vehicle for continuous improvement, the AS9100C standard is a business and quality system that enables companies to employ a process-based approach to their product and service offerings. The AS9100C requirements are in addition to standard ISO9001 requirements, ensuring that rp+m will meet and exceed the needs of customers from most industries.

Developed by the IAQG (International Aerospace Quality Group), AS9100C standards are designed to address the heightened levels of product conformance, traceability, and uniformity the aerospace, space, and defense industries require. A cooperative global organization, the IAQG brings aviation, space, and defense companies together to develop performance improvements in quality, delivery, and cost on all products and services throughout the value stream.

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