What does aerospace automation include in practice?
It includes precision machining support, robotic positioning, in-line inspection integration, and controls architecture that preserves audit-ready operation records.
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QuoteLIVEREV.04 · 2026/IND-AERO
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/IND-AEROAEROSPACE · AS9100
Aerospace automation
held to the thousandth.
In aerospace, every fastener carries a serial number and every hole carries a tolerance band. We deliver AS9100-aligned automation cells with the precision, traceability and audit trail this industry expects. For regulated production programs, this keeps tolerance control, release quality, and schedule adherence aligned.
/DATASHEETREF. IND-AERO-001
QUALITY SYSTEMAS9100 Rev D
SPECIAL PROCESSNADCAP accredited
INSPECTIONAS9102 FAI · CMM · NDT
POSITION TOL.±0.001″ servo capable
TRACEABILITY100% to part s/n
OEM SPECBoeing D6 · Airbus AIMS
15+
Aerospace projects
100%
Traceability
0
AS9100 NCRs
±0
.001″ position
ANSWER-FIRST
How should aerospace automation be prioritized?
Aerospace automation programs move fastest when teams first stabilize the highest-risk quality bottleneck. That is often tolerance-critical drilling, fastening variation, inspection escape risk, or incomplete digital traceability.
How do aerospace teams estimate ROI before deployment?
ROI is usually modeled from rework reduction, cycle-time gains, quality stability, and improved first-pass acceptance using baseline metrics from current production.
Can aerospace cells integrate with existing MES and quality systems?
Yes. Most projects integrate with existing MES and quality environments for traceability, inspection history, and controlled handover documentation.
How quickly can support start for release-blocking issues?
Support can begin quickly with remote diagnostics and then shift to targeted on-site execution for production constraints affecting quality or schedule.
Teams planning aerospace automation typically compare traceability depth, quality-system alignment, and support coverage before selecting aerospace automation companies for long lifecycle programs.
Industry references: IAQG / AS9100 · EASA · FAA · NADCAP/01QUALITY FRAMEWORK
Aerospace automation standards matrix.
Aerospace cells aren't certified by accident. Every iAutomate deployment is built against this matrix from URS forward.
/QMS-01
AS9100 Rev D
Aerospace QMS layered on ISO 9001 — risk, configuration, FOD.
- ▸ Risk-based thinking
- ▸ Configuration mgmt
- ▸ FOD prevention
- ▸ Counterfeit parts control
/QMS-02
NADCAP Special Processes
Heat treat, NDT, chem-process and welding accreditation paths.
- ▸ AC7114 NDT
- ▸ AC7110 welding
- ▸ AC7108 chem-process
- ▸ Audit-ready records
/QMS-03
FAA / EASA
Civil airworthiness regulator compliance for production.
- ▸ PMA / TSO support
- ▸ 21G production org
- ▸ DER / DAR coordination
- ▸ Continued airworthiness
/QMS-04
Boeing D6-83439
Boeing supplier quality requirements and flowdown.
- ▸ FOD program
- ▸ Stamp control
- ▸ Sub-tier flowdown
- ▸ Source inspection
/QMS-05
Airbus AIMS / EN 9100
Airbus material and quality standards.
- ▸ AIMS material specs
- ▸ EN 9100 alignment
- ▸ ProSupplier reporting
- ▸ Concession process
/QMS-06
AS9102 First Article
First Article Inspection Reports for new and changed parts.
- ▸ Form 1 / 2 / 3
- ▸ Bubbled drawings
- ▸ Material certs traced
- ▸ Delta FAI on change
/02PLATFORM DATASHEET
Five aerospace automation subsystems.
Vendor-agnostic engineering across the platforms aerospace OEMs and Tier 1s already standardize on.
/DRL · HOLES, COUNTERSINKS, FASTENERS
Automated Drilling & Fastening
Holes, countersinks, fasteners. Engineered for AS9100 Rev D environments with full configuration control and audit trail.
SPECIFICATIONREF · DRL-2026
POSITION±0.001″ at TCP
DRILL HEADServo z-axis + thrust loop
MATERIALSAl 7075 · Ti-6Al-4V · CFRP stack
FASTENERSHiLok · Lockbolt · interference fit
RECORDSPer-hole load + depth log
/03REFERENCE CELL
Drill-and-fasten cell — top view.
Schematic of a representative AS9100 aerospace drilling cell with secondary guide rail, laser tracker positioning and integrated NDT station.
SCHEMATIC · SCALE 1:50 · REF DWG-AE-001
/LTLaser tracker (positioning)
/R1/R2Precision robot cells
/DHServo drill head
/NDTPhased-array UT + ET
/04APPLICATIONS
Aerospace automation applications by process stage.
/APP-01
Drilling & Fastening
Hi-Lok, lockbolt, interference fit on Al/Ti/CFRP stacks.
/APP-02
Aerostructure Assembly
Wing, fuselage, empennage positioning and joining.
/APP-03
NDT & Dimensional
PAUT, eddy current, CMM and laser scan inspection.
/APP-04
Composite Layup Support
Ply placement assist, sealant dispense, bagging aids.
/APP-05
Robotic Surface Treatment
Sanding, sealing, painting and coating in Class-A booths.
/APP-06
MRO Automation
Borescope, repair guidance and documented overhaul.
/05ENGINEERING LIFECYCLE
From URS to source inspection.
Five gates. Each gate produces a controlled deliverable signed under aerospace configuration management.
01T+0
/DISCOVERY
URS & FAI Strategy
DELIVERABLE
DOC-01 URS + AS9102 plan
02T+3W
/DESIGN
Cell Layout & Tolerance Stack
DELIVERABLE
DOC-02 GD&T study + layout
03T+10W
/BUILD
FAT + NADCAP Pre-audit
DELIVERABLE
DOC-03 FAT + special process pkg
04T+14W
/QUALIFY
First Article Inspection
DELIVERABLE
DOC-04 AS9102 Form 1/2/3
05T+SAT
/RELEASE
Source Inspection & Handover
DELIVERABLE
DOC-05 PPAP-style release pkg
/06FIELD REPORT
Aerostructure drilling cell — Tier 1 supplier.
Eight-meter robotic drilling and fastening cell with laser-tracker positioning, delivering aerospace-grade tolerances on first article submission.
- FANUC M-900iB cell with secondary linear guide rail
- Laser tracker + photogrammetry positioning loop
- Servo drilling head with thrust + depth feedback per hole
- Torque-controlled HiLok installation with verified seating
- Net-Inspect AS9102 FAI export, signed digitally
/RESULTSDOC · CASE-AE-007
METRICBEFOREAFTER
Position accuracy±0.005"±0.002" (exceeded spec)
Rework rate12%1.8% (−85%)
Cycle time100%60% (−40%)
First article—Passed first submission
"iAutomate delivered precision automation that exceeded our specifications."
— MFG. ENGINEERING MANAGER/07SERVICE CATALOG
Aerospace automation services and integrations.
/SVC-01
Precision Robot Programming
Drilling, fastening and assembly cells.
OPEN SPEC
/SVC-02
PLC & Process Control
Cell sequencing, safety and data capture.
OPEN SPEC
/SVC-03
Vision, NDT & Metrology
AS9102 FAI, NDT integration, CMM cells.
OPEN SPEC
/SVC-04
Equipment Relocation
Re-qualification per AS9100 change control.
OPEN SPEC
/08FAQ
Common aerospace questions.
Yes. We work to AS9100 Rev D under our customers' QMS, including FOD prevention, configuration management, counterfeit parts control and risk-based change processes. Documentation is audit-ready.
We integrate cells supporting NADCAP-accredited NDT (AC7114), welding (AC7110) and chem-process (AC7108). Process records are designed to survive a NADCAP audit cycle.
Servo-driven cells with secondary guide rails routinely hold ±0.001" at the TCP after laser-tracker calibration. We publish the verified Cpk per part program.
Yes. We accept Boeing D6-83439 supplier quality flowdown, Airbus AIMS material specs, and EN 9100 alignment. Sub-tier requirements are flowed through our document control.
Standard. Form 1/2/3 with bubbled drawings, traced material certificates, and Net-Inspect or Discus export are part of every aerospace handover.
/CTANEXT STEP
Ready for precision
aerospace automation?
AS9100-aligned cells from URS to source inspection. Talk to an aerospace engineer this week and define the right roadmap for precision aerospace automation. For adjacent high-precision workflows, review our electronics automation programs and manufacturing automation services.