How Intrex Aerospace Maintains Efficient Aerospace Manufacturing Standards

Intrex Aerospace produces precision components for the aerospace and defense industries. These markets demand the most precise machining to quickly produce high-quality parts that are guaranteed to work in their intended final products.

This level of precision and quality can only be achieved by creating and maintaining the most efficient aerospace manufacturing standards. Intrex Aerospace has incorporated various practices and methods into its culture to deliver those reliable results.

Aerospace Manufacturing Standards

The teams at Intrex Aerospace have applied their years of experience in aerospace manufacturing to implement and maintain first-rate processes with the highest rates of success. By maintaining key metrics, Intrex Aerospace can produce components efficiently and deliver products on time.

The practices that fall under the principle of lean manufacturing enable them to sustain those critical metrics and tight manufacturing standards.

What Is Lean Manufacturing?

The foundation of lean manufacturing is simple: a system of techniques and tools is designed and employed to eliminate waste and non-value-adding activities from the manufacturing process. This enhances productivity and reduces costs.

The team at Intrex Aerospace uses the following lean manufacturing concepts in their operations.

Value Stream Mapping

This tool visually maps production flow and highlights opportunities for process improvement. By exposing waste in existing processes, value stream mapping allows an organization to address these issues, increase efficiency, and minimize waste.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

KPIs are metrics that track and support progress toward the company’s top-level goals. Defining and promoting KPIs can drive behavior that helps the organization achieve those goals. In manufacturing, KPIs can also expose and quantify waste in current processes.

5SAerospace Manufacturing Process

A critical step in maintaining efficiency is organization. 5S defines five steps to keeping a clean, organized work area to streamline production:

• Sort – eliminate anything that isn’t needed in the area
• Straighten – organize remaining items
• Shine – clean and inspect the work area
• Standardize – write standards for the above
• Sustain – regularly apply the standards

Applying these standards reduces waste caused by a messy work area, such as time spent searching for a part or tool.

Six Sigma

Six Sigma is an iterative quality control process designed to achieve zero defects in the manufacturing cycle. With Six Sigma, manufacturing processes are statistically modeled to identify where defects are likely to occur, and plans are developed to address these failure points.

The statistical aspect used in Six Sigma relies on accurate measurements, so quality control tools and training are essential. Intrex Aerospace has Six Sigma training and exercises throughout the entire operation.

Kanban (Pull System)

Kanban controls the flow of goods with suppliers, customers, and inside the factory. This system reduces waste by preventing unnecessary inventory pileup by only reordering goods when they run out, thus eliminating the need for physical stock.

First Article Inspection (FAI)

A first article inspection requires an authorized person to verify that the first production run of a component matches the client’s specifications precisely. The inspector (usually the supplier or a second-party inspector) will reference the necessary data to ensure that all subsequent production runs continue to be to the client’s specifications.

Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)

PPAP is a specific approval process for new parts in the aerospace and automotive industries. The PPAP manual contains guidelines and sample documents to complete the process requirements.

A PPAP submission delivers evidence that the supplier has met or surpassed the customer’s requirements and the process will consistently create quality parts at the quoted rate.

Advanced Technology in the Hands of Professionals

Demmer Manufacturing is proud to have affiliates like Intrex Aerospace in our portfolio that deliver high-quality, ultra-durable, and cost-effective parts for the aerospace industry. Intrex Aerospace not only maintains meticulous aerospace manufacturing standards, but they are also:

• ISO 9001 certified
• AS 9100 certified
• ITAR compliant
• Staffed with highly experienced aerospace machinists

This all means that they’re operating with the utmost efficiency and producing reliable results daily—all while maintaining competitive pricing.

Demmer Manufacturing supports our portfolio companies’ growth by investing in their technology, infrastructure, and people. You can learn more about Intrex Aerospace here.