Aerospace Defence Space

Trackwise achieves AS9100C Certification

Posted 6 October 2015

UK-based manufacturer of products using printed circuit technology, Trackwise, has been awarded AS9100C quality certification.

The certification is the highest of global standards for quality assurance in the aerospace, space and defence industries. While similar to ISO 9001:2008, AS9100C has 100 additional requirements specific to meeting the stringent, complex and unique demands of these industries.

It marks an important milestone in the company’s growth plans into these markets and supports both the core manufacture of specialised radio frequency printed circuit boards as well as the introduction of its latest product development – Improved Harness Technology.

A patented process innovation (UK patent 2498994, International Patent application PCT/GB2013/050147) has further extended Trackwise’ capability to the unique manufacture of multilayer flexible PCBs of unlimited length. In aerospace and other high value, mass-critical applications, boards of such length can be used as an alternative to traditional wiring harnesses, offering significant benefits particularly in terms of reliability, space and weight – up to 75% weight saving.

Right: A five metre long, six layer flex PCB, manufactured by Trackwise.

Trackwise Director of Quality, Colin Hallam commented: “We are delighted to have achieved this certification. The company has ambitious growth plans over the next five years and operating to the stringent requirements of AS79100C is going to be crucial to delivering on them. Importantly it also affirms Trackwise’ commitment to an ongoing programme of business improvement designed to ensure we continue to provide our customers with the highest levels of product quality and service delivery. This has included the attainment of the UK government’s Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation earlier in the year.”

Michael Venner from the certification body, IMS International, noted: “Trackwise have performed exceptionally well. It is rare for a final audit to show no non-conformances in the manufacturing process, which is testament to the hard work of their team and the robust quality controls they have in place.”