Quality assurance

Every part. Every time. No exceptions.

Quality isn't a department at Altera — it's the thread that runs through every process, every inspection, and every shipment. Here's how we prove it.

Our approach

Three pillars of quality

We don't inspect quality in at the end. We build it in at every stage, then verify it with documented evidence.

01

Prevention over detection

We review every print before quoting. If a tolerance is unnecessarily tight, a material choice is risky, or a feature is difficult to machine — we tell you before metal touches plastic. DFM feedback is standard, not an upsell.

02

In-process verification

Critical dimensions are checked at the machine during production — not after the batch is complete. If something drifts, we catch it at part one, not part one hundred. SPC data is available on request.

03

Full traceability

Every shipment includes a dimensional report and material certification matched to your PO. Raw material lot number, inspection data, operator sign-off — all linked. You can trace any part back to its source in under five minutes.

Certifications

Verified by third-party audit

Certifications aren't wall decorations. They're proof that an independent auditor has verified our systems. Here's what we hold — and what each one means for your parts.

9001

ISO 9001:2015

Foundation quality management system. Covers design, production, inspection, and delivery. Audited annually by an accredited registrar.

9100

AS 9100D

Aerospace-specific quality standard built on ISO 9001 with additional requirements for risk management, configuration control, and product traceability. Required by most aerospace primes.

13485

ISO 13485

Medical devices quality management system. Covers risk management, cleanliness, and documentation requirements for components used in medical device manufacturing.

ITAR

ITAR Registered

Registered with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). We can handle export-controlled technical data and produce components for defense applications. CMMC Level 1 compliant.

NIST

Calibration — NIST traceable

All measurement equipment — CMM, optical, hand gauges — is calibrated to NIST-traceable standards on a defined interval. Calibration records available for audit.

MAT

Material testing

In-house tensile, hardness, and density testing with external lab backup for DSC, TGA, FTIR, and SEM when required by your specification.

Traceability

From raw material to your dock

Every part that leaves Altera carries a complete chain of evidence. Here's what that chain looks like.

01

Raw material receipt

Mill cert verified against PO. Chemistry and mechanicals confirmed. Lot number logged in ERP.

02

Production

In-process inspection at machine. Critical dimensions verified. Operator and shift logged.

03

Final inspection

CMM or optical measurement. Full dimensional report generated. Material cert attached.

04

Shipment

Cert package matched to PO. Parts serialized if required. Digital records retained 10 years.

99.7%
On-time delivery
< 0.3%
Return rate
10 yr
Record retention
100%
First-article inspected

Need documentation?

We'll provide whatever your QMS requires

Fully dimensional reports, material certs, SPC data, FAI reports per AS 9102 — tell us what you need and we'll include it.

Request a quote with certs