AS9102 - Do I have to do FAI for all Standard Catalog Hardware items????

[johnjbart]

Hello,

We're a defence company. For one of our ongoing project, we need a clarification about the "Standard Catalog Hardware" definition defined in AS9102 section 3.

For our project, we'll use lots of electronic components.
If any industrial item from a manufacturer catalog is selected (such as an industrial IC, capacitors, resistors from National Semiconductors Catalog), does that mean this item is a standard catalog hardware? Or, Is there any seperate/special catalog/catalogs which covers/cover all the acceptable standard catalog hardware items as defined in the AS9102, published by industrial or national authority.

I ask this because of FAI requirements. Please help..

Thanks for all...

[johnjbart]

I was asked a question and I have no answer. Can someone help?

[Marc]

You'll probably get a response today or tomorrow if anyone here can help. You posted this at the weekend when not many people are here.

[Wes Bucey]

First, it might help if you understood a little of the rationale behind the AS9100 series or behind FAA or JAA requirements (and all the other aircraft regulators in countries throughout the world):

1. When people fly, they want to reach their destination safely
2. When an aircraft has a problem, up to, and including, a fatal crash, investigators spend a great deal of effort to find the cause
3. If the cause can be traced to a mechanical component, EVERYONE wants to track down other aircraft which may have that component to examine whether it is fit for duty or needs to be replaced.
4. Uniformity and traceability of components (INCLUDING "STANDARD" PARTS) makes the job of tracking down aircraft more efficient.

Thus said, manufacturers and repair shops dealing with aircraft agree (by adhering to regulations and/or Standards like the AS9XXX series) to follow certain protocols with each of the components of an aircraft.

In the case of Standard Parts (parts made to the manufacturer's design and specifications and sold to multiple buyers through a catalog or other "list" which describes the materials and specifications used in the component), buyers agree, for the sake of efficiency, that each buyer does not need a separate First Article Inspection.

What buyers do, instead, is require the manufacturer of the component to make certain affirmations and details available to every buyer with EACH shipment of components.

These typically include:

1. Material Certs
2. Supplier’s Inspection Acceptance Report
3. Shipping documents (which positively identify the product for traceability as to lot, etc. in event a future problem arises so other products which contain components from that lot can be inspected)
4. The manufacturer retains his own original First Article Inspection

If you need more elaboration about this, please write back. (I hope this answers the other similar question you asked about Standard Parts.)

Welcome to the Cove, johnjbart!

[Al Rosen]

I'm in disagreement with Wes on the definition of a standard part. In the US the Definition of Standard Part is one that is made to an industry or government recognized standard, not just a catalog item from a manufacturer made to the manufacturers standard. These parts, you should be able to use certifications from the supplier as part of your FAI to show conformance.

Although the link I provided is to the US FAA, I believe that this is pretty much recognized internationally.

There are recognized Military and Federal standards for electronic components. JEDEC has developed recognized industry standards for semiconductors.

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by Al Rosen

I'm in disagreement with Wes on the definition of a standard part. In the US the Definition of Standard Part is one that is made to an industry or government recognized standard, not just a catalog item from a manufacturer made to the manufacturers standard. These parts, you should be able to use certifications from the supplier as part of your FAI to show conformance.

Although the link I provided is to the US FAA, I believe that this is pretty much recognized internationally.

There are recognized Military and Federal standards for electronic components. JEDEC has developed recognized industry standards for semiconductors.

Al is correct. I was not as specific on that point as I may have been because I was working on giving the "Big Picture."

The simple point is there is NO definitive list of Standard Parts. There are criteria (tensile strength, hardness, conductivity, electrical resistance, melting point, flammability, etc.) which parts have to meet, but nothing which says ABC brand is the Standard Part. Part of getting the material certifications is assuring a manufacturer starts production with the correct material. Getting the Inspection Acceptance Report shows the manufacturer "says" his product meets other criteria.

Ultimately, the buyer seeking to conform to FAA, JAA, or AS9XXX regulations or Standards must do "due diligence" on the manufacturer to assure himself of the integrity of the manufacturer to guard against counterfeit or substandard products with falsified documentation. Just because a manufacturer "says" his product conforms isn't always sufficient. There are some notorious cases of counterfeit products being the cause of crashes.

The problem of "substandard products" is one of the reasons behind the rule that certified, approved (by regulators) parts and aircraft manufacturers must provide proof of destruction "beyond usability" of parts which do not meet Standards of strength, etc.

[johnjbart]

This is the answer that I've just received from As9102 writing team SAE.

Any item purchased from a catalog is considered standard catalog hardware. There is no separate/special catalog published by an industrial or national authority.

Many companies have catalogs of standard parts that they have designed for their own use. Boeing, for example, has BAC standards. This type of "catalog" part doesn't qualify as a standard. To qualify, the part must be available through a catalog to anyone.

I hope this answers you question.

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by johnjbart

This is the answer that I've just received from As9102 writing team SAE.

Any item purchased from a catalog is considered standard catalog hardware. There is no separate/special catalog published by an industrial or national authority.

Many companies have catalogs of standard parts that they have designed for their own use. Boeing, for example, has BAC standards. This type of "catalog" part doesn't qualify as a standard. To qualify, the part must be available through a catalog to anyone.

I hope this answers you question.

True, as far as the statement goes. You should NOT be buying from ANY catalog where the manufacturer does not have available the information listed in my post above - reproduced here for convenience.

What buyers do, instead, is require the manufacturer of the component to make certain affirmations and details available to every buyer with EACH shipment of components.

These typically include:

1. Material Certs
2. Supplier’s Inspection Acceptance Report
3. Shipping documents (which positively identify the product for traceability as to lot, etc. in event a future problem arises so other products which contain components from that lot can be inspected)
4. The manufacturer retains his own original First Article Inspection

If you need more elaboration about this, please write back. (I hope this answers the other similar question you asked about Standard Parts.)

Traceability of ALL parts is of paramount importance. In aircraft, we are talking Life, Health, Safety. There are too many people who may read your statement and go off buying substandard materials from anyone who has a catalog, even though that catalog may consist of parts the seller scavenged from seconds and rejects from real manufacturers, with no real hope of consistency or traceability from part to part.

I don't mean to sound like a scare monger here, but I fly from time to time and I want to know everyone from manufacturer to the repairman in some remote repair station is following the rules and really understands the rules and isn't making up his own as he goes along.