Estes earns AS9100D Certification for the aerospace, space and defense industries

Estes Design and Manufacturing of Indianapolis has received its AS9100D certification for its quality management system governing the design, manufacture and assembly of fabricated sheet metal products.

The certification validates Estes’ compliance with quality management standards specifically for the aviation, space and defense industries developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group and emphasizes controls to ensure the quality and safety of mission-critical aerospace products, components and services.

This most recent certification paves the way for Estes to further serve customers in the aerospace and defense sectors with advanced sheet metal design and production work.

“Estes’ commitments to quality, state-of-the-art technology and continuous improvement are central to everything we do,” said company President Tim Estes. “In addition to broadening the scope of our capabilities, we have also expanded to serve additional markets and clients with our Lean Manufacturing and Estes Accelerator Product Development and Prototyping.”

Additionally, Estes recently added CNC machining with the acquisition of an Okuma 30 HP, 15,000 rpm Genos M560-V vertical machining center that can process a variety of materials from titanium to aluminum. This 5-axis machine provides accuracies of 0.00055" in the X axis, 0.00047" in Y and 0.00039" in Z, making it well suited for the tight-tolerance precision needed for the aerospace and defense sectors. Though the machine is not included in the most recent AS9100D certification scope due to the timing of its acquisition, it is anticipated it will be included in the certification by July 2025.

CNC machining capabilities further enhance Estes’ menu of services in the manufacturing industry. Its recent commissioning of a robotic laser welding unit that pairs an IPG Photonics’ LightWELD laser welder with a FANUC CRX-25iA Collaborative Robot (cobot) gives Estes fast, repeatable and precise robotic welding capabilities.

The FANUC CRX-25iA cobot takes LightWELD precision to a new level. With a repeatability of ± 0.002", the six-axis cobot provides consistent quality that is essential for precision welds.

Estes specializes in light-gauge sheet metal fabrication for carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum. Part processing capabilities range from plate materials up to ¼” thick to bar and tube stock. The company will also fabricate other material types and alloys per customer request.