Best FabricatorsAerospace and defense fabrication
Aerospace metal fabrication means tight tolerances, traceable materials, and paperwork that follows every part.
Materials and processes
Aluminum alloys such as 2024, 6061, and 7075; titanium; nickel alloys such as Inconel; and stainless steels. Thin sections and heat-sensitive alloys favor TIG welding, laser cutting, and controlled forming.
Standards and certifications to know
- AS9100: the aerospace quality management standard built on ISO 9001.
- Nadcap: industry accreditation for special processes such as welding, heat treating, and nondestructive testing.
- ITAR registration: required with the U.S. State Department for companies that manufacture defense articles on the U.S. Munitions List.
Questions to ask a shop
- Is the shop AS9100 certified, and which sites are covered by the certificate?
- Which special processes are Nadcap accredited, and which are subcontracted?
- Can it provide material certifications and a first article inspection report?
- If the part is a defense article, is the shop ITAR registered?
What drives cost
Material cost and certification, inspection time, first article inspection, and low production quantities usually drive price more than shop labor alone.
Metros with strong local demand
- Aerospace fabrication in Phoenix, AZ
- Aerospace fabrication in Atlanta, GA
- Aerospace fabrication in Baltimore, MD
- Aerospace fabrication in Cincinnati, OH
- Aerospace fabrication in Cleveland, OH
- Aerospace fabrication in Dallas, TX
- Aerospace fabrication in Denver, CO
- Aerospace fabrication in Houston, TX
- Aerospace fabrication in Indianapolis, IN
- Aerospace fabrication in Jacksonville, FL
- Aerospace fabrication in Los Angeles, CA
- Aerospace fabrication in Miami, FL
- Aerospace fabrication in New Orleans, LA
- Aerospace fabrication in Philadelphia, PA
- Aerospace fabrication in San Francisco Bay Area, CA
- Aerospace fabrication in Seattle, WA
- Aerospace fabrication in Tampa, FL
- Aerospace fabrication in Washington, DC
Questions
What should I look for in a aerospace fabricator?
Relevant certifications, finished work similar to yours, the right equipment, and clear documentation. Start with: Is the shop AS9100 certified, and which sites are covered by the certificate?
Where is aerospace fabrication concentrated?
On this site, these metros have strong local demand: Phoenix, AZ, Atlanta, GA, Baltimore, MD, Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, OH, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Houston, TX, Indianapolis, IN, Jacksonville, FL, Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, New Orleans, LA, Philadelphia, PA, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, Seattle, WA, Tampa, FL, Washington, DC.