AS9145 – APQP and PPAP for Aerospace
APQP and PPAP for AS9100
The aerospace standard AS9145 was released in 2016 and titled “Requirements for Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)”. Aerospace adopted the Automotive Industry Action Group’s (AIAG) APQP concepts and applied a common-sense approach in fitting these to the Aerospace industry. While there are some differences, the theme, purpose, and concepts remain the same.
To keep up with requirements for the aerospace industry, Jim Lee attends the AAQG/SAE G14 committee meetings of the America’s group which develops the AS standards. Over the last several years, we’ve seen many of the Primes and Sub-Primes preparing for the rollout and flow down of these APQP requirements to their suppliers. Lockheed Martin, Harris, L-3, Rockwell Collins, and others have passed these requirements on to their supply chain in their PO flow down and contract requirements.
What is AS9145?
This AS9145 standard is used as a guideline and is not an AS standard for certification. It establishes requirements for performing and documenting APQP and PPAP and integrates with the 9100, 9102, 9103 and 9110 standards. When a customer flows down these APQP requirements, it’s then incorporated into AS9100 audits as customer requirements. It is the same for automotive suppliers.
5 Phases of APQP
- Planning
- Product Design and Development
- Process Design and Development
- Product and Process Validation
- On-going Production and Post Delivery
APQP Maturity Model
One of the aerospace enhancements is an APQP maturity model. The Aerospace Improvement Maturity Model (AIMM) and rating evaluate the use of APQP and all the associated core tools (PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA/GR&R, and SPC). This maturity model and rating system is a way for the customer to assess their supplier’s maturity on the use, implementation, and sophistication of their supplier’s APQP processes. Ultimately, this provides a risk approach to assessing the need for supplier development with APQP. Refer to the table below.
APQP Maturity Model
PPAP: Automotive vs Aerospace Industry
What’s the difference?
Instead of the 18 auto industry elements, aerospace has only 11 components for their PPAPs. Refer to the simpleQuE infographic at the top of the page for aerospace PPAP elements.
The industry has developed training, materials and tools to help its suppliers while utilizing the existing automotive core tools from AIAG. The AIAG “blue book” guidelines are referenced as foundational documents for the Aerospace process, and the aerospace industry has the Supply Chain Management Handbook online with many free tools and training (IAQG.org).
Jim Lee, simpleQuE’s President is offering free access to his 45-minute presentation: AS145: Introduction to APQP & the PPAP Deliverables. The presentation introduces APQP and explains why it’s being imposed by aerospace customers and is formally flowed down the supply chain as a requirement.
Free AS9145 Materials and Tools
In addition to the detailed overview, Jim also provides free AS9145 materials and tools (see below for what is included) for further understanding of AS9145 and its adoption by the Space, Aviation and Defense Industries.
- ASA-AS9145 APQP PPAP Training (PowerPoint Slides and Webinar)
- APQP Maturity Level Questionnaire Rev B
- DFMEA Template
- GRR Template Attribute Gauge Short Method
- GRR Variable Gauge Template
- PFMEA Template
SimpleQuE has aerospace and core tools experts to consult, train or facilitate the implementation of your AS9145 APQP process for your aerospace customers. Learn more about AS9145 and the five key phases of APQP from this informative article by Certification Body – NQA.
This article was written by Jim Lee, simpleQuE President.
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