The military, aviation, and aerospace industries are some of the most important sectors of any country’s manufacturing sector. Because these industries are ultimately responsible for the safety, security, and economic wellbeing of countless people, they require the very best specialized tools and precision parts. While there are countless players in the fastener manufacturing industry located all over the world, there are very few outfits with the required skills and technologies to produce military-grade fasteners for government and military applications.
Anyone hoping to achieve the best results in their building, engineering or manufacturing projects will need the highest quality tools and materials, but identifying the right military grade fastener companies to partner with can be a challenge. In this post, we’ll highlight the qualities, characteristics, and practices that you should look for in military fastener manufacturers to help you realize your vision.
Attention to Detail
The most important quality you should look for in a contract manufacturer is their attention to detail and ability to deliver to the exact specifications you desire. Any fasteners designed for marine and military purposes will not have any margin for error, as any minor flaw might have disastrous consequences.
Quality Control
All precision solutions must meet the highest standards of quality to qualify as military fasteners. This means that the manufacturers must adhere to strict quality control protocols, which are accomplished through regular inspections, testing and monitoring as they go through the various production stages.
A good way to find out whether your supply meets these standards is to find out whether they have attained international certifications such as the AS9100 or the ISO 9001 (especially in the military and aerospace industries).
Advanced Equipment and Technology
The only way to achieve the precision and quality required for Military Spec/Mil Spec fasteners is through the use of the very latest 3D printers, CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, specialized tools, and other high-end machinery. These tools will allow for the reliability and repeatability of the production process.
Materials Science Expertise
To come up with the strongest, most resilient, and most reliable precision parts for use in critical industries, manufacturers must possess extremely high levels of proficiency in handling materials such as titanium, composites, and high strength alloys.
The nature of these materials will also require specialized production and processing protocols, and so you should always seek out suppliers and manufacturers with a reputation for excellence in these areas.
Compliance with Industry Protocols and Standards
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the military establishment prioritize quality, safety, and environmental responsibility. This means that the military specification fastener suppliers that they work with must meet or exceed the highest standards or risk destroying their professional reputations.
Documentation and Traceability
One of the most effective ways that manufacturers ensure that the specialty fasteners they utilize in their machinery is by keeping a keen eye on the production processes they undergo. Before they install a part in any system, they insist on receiving a clear and traceable history of the raw materials used, the production protocols observed, and the quality assessment measures applied. These measures ensure that only the best products end up in their machines.
Capacity to Handle Complex Design Orders
The aerospace and military industries rely on highly complex and precise components to develop the complex machinery they rely on to successfully carry out their operations. The manufacturers tasked with producing these parts must therefore have the skills and capacity to handle the production of highly complex units for application all the way from the prototyping stages to full scale production.
Timelessness and Reliability
Because of the astronomically high costs involved in the manufacture of space age military and aerospace assets, any delays in the process can be extremely costly and must be avoided wherever possible. To avoid the possibility of such costly delays, suppliers charged with the duty of fasteners for military applications must have impeccable records of reliability and timeliness. They must prove that they can meet or keep up with the project milestones and production schedules set out by their clients.
Communication and Customer Service
When working within industries where tight schedules, stringent quality standards, strict budgets and high precision are mandatory, a company’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively with its clients will be of critical importance to its success. Seek out manufacturers that are willing to collaborate with your designers and engineers to ensure that the engineered components you order meet your exact specifications.
Military-Grade Fastener Supplier in the U.S.
American made fasteners must meet or exceed global standards of production quality to qualify for use in the highest levels of industry, which means that the fastener suppliers must operate at world class standards. While there are seemingly endless manufacturers to choose from nowadays, you must make your choices very carefully. B&G Manufacturing has a proven track record of providing superlative fasteners for use in demanding industries. For all your high-end fastener supplies, contact B&G Manufacturing today. You won’t regret it!
Hatfield
