Timbercon, which develops and manufactures fiber-optic communications products for the military, aerospace, medical, data communications, and industrial markets, says it has begun implementation of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) per AS9145 standards. The company expects the move to AS9145 practices will reduce defects and eliminate waste, thereby improving service to its customers.
Timbercon's Quality Department will lead the implementation. The company says the team has significant experience in “zero defects” efforts, specifically in missile programs. The AS9145 plan has received approvals already from some of the company's major defense and aerospace customers.
"Defects are inconvenient and expensive for any manufacturer, but for our customers they can make the difference between a missile hitting its mark, or a communications system staying online when a military field base floods," stated Dereck Williams, senior quality manager of Timbercon. "Continuing AS9145 in support of Zero Defects implementation throughout the company is one more step that Timbercon is taking to ensure our customers can have that peace of mind, knowing their fiber-optic assemblies and systems are built to the very highest of standards."
"Implementing AS9145 standards throughout Timbercon is helping to ensure our processes are operating as consistently and efficiently as possible," added Gina Chambers, vice president of manufacturing. "By standardizing and streamlining our own supply chains, we are maximizing efficiencies throughout our customers' supply chains too."
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher
Stephen Hardy has covered fiber optics for more than 15 years, and communications and technology for more than 30 years. He is responsible for establishing and executing Lightwave's editorial strategy across its digital magazine, website, newsletters, research and other information products. He has won multiple awards for his writing.
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