Why OEMs and Tier 1 Suppliers Cannot Afford to Overlook Qualified Welding Partners
In aerospace manufacturing, supplier selection is not just a procurement decision—it’s a risk mitigation strategy. When it comes to resistance spot welding for critical components, the wrong vendor can introduce compliance gaps, quality escapes, and reputational damage.
The following scenario—fictional, but based on real industry failures—illustrates what can happen when aerospace welding standards are not met.
A Critical Failure: A Preventable Outcome
During a routine commercial flight, cockpit alarms indicate a systems failure. The aircraft is diverted and lands safely, but an investigation reveals a serious fault: a failed clamp assembly on the jet engine. The root cause was a defective resistance spot weld on a V-band clamp securing an air bypass duct.
The welds—insufficiently fused and improperly sized—allowed high-pressure air to escape, triggering downstream sensor errors and forcing an emergency response. Although the component appeared compliant during visual inspection, it had never undergone radiographic or destructive testing as required for Class A aerospace applications. The manufacturer had subcontracted the welding to a low-cost vendor who lacked:
The result? Full legal and financial liability fell on the primary supplier. Program delays, regulatory action, and permanent reputational loss followed.
Aerospace Spot Welding is Not a Commodity Service
This fictional case underscores a vital truth: aerospace resistance welding is a high-reliability process that demands qualified partners—not lowest-cost bidders. Many weld shops advertise aerospace capability, yet fall short of industry expectations during audits or field performance. Price-driven procurement decisions may lead to noncompliant welds, incomplete documentation, and insufficient inspection. Purchasing departments must look beyond vendor quotes and evaluate:
Why Tier 1 Suppliers and OEMs Trust ASW
At Associated Spot Welders (ASW), we specialize in resistance spot and seam welding for aerospace and defense applications. Our facility is built to exceed the rigorous demands of OEM and Tier 1 supplier programs. Our aerospace welding credentials include:
ASW is not just a welding supplier—we are an audit-ready, compliance-driven extension of your manufacturing process.
Key Questions to Ask Before Awarding a Welding Contract
Before selecting a resistance welding vendor for aerospace applications, purchasing departments should assess:
Your contract manufacturer or welding partner should be able to provide clear, verifiable answers to each of these questions.
Strategic Procurement Requires Strategic Partnerships
In aerospace, even small components—like clamps, brackets, or sensor housings—can have mission-critical implications. When outsourcing aerospace resistance welding, procurement teams must prioritize qualification, process control, and compliance over cost alone.
At ASW, we deliver:
Let’s talk about how ASW can help support your next aerospace project with reliable, certified resistance welding solutions.