Readiness analysis, process optimisation, RCCA and mock audits for successful Nadcap accreditation in PCB assembly.
Nadcap places high demands on processes, documentation and evidence. Through my experience with Airbus, Boeing and other OEMs, I know the decisive factors for a successful audit.
My consulting focuses on readiness, process optimisation and mock audits. Nadcap accreditation opens access to new international aerospace customers and strengthens your position as a qualified supplier.
Structured assessment of your current maturity level and a clear action plan for accreditation.
Practical optimisation of processes, documentation and evidence for robust implementation.
First-party audits, mock audits and focused preparation of your team for the Nadcap audit.
Systematic root-cause analysis, effective corrective actions and robust evidence for findings.
Direct support at your site with implementation, preparation and audit readiness.
International experience introducing, maintaining and improving Nadcap AC 7120 in Germany, Romania, Costa Rica and China – practical, process-oriented and audit-focused.
Printed board assembly · PCB assembly
Nadcap AC 7120 assesses printed board assembly manufacturing for demanding aerospace applications. Controlled processes and objective evidence are central. A well-written quality manual alone is not enough: requirements must align across work instructions, manufacturing practice and records.
I help companies establish that connection through structured readiness analysis, practical process optimisation and realistic mock audits. The applicable criteria are determined from your scope and the current official audit documents. The following steps describe the consulting and preparation process; they do not replace official audit criteria.
First, we establish which assembly processes, products and sites are included in the audit scope. The applicable edition of AC 7120, relevant supplemental audit criteria and customer requirements determine the assessment. A requirements matrix links each requirement to its implementation and supporting evidence.
We compare work instructions, process approvals and records with actual shop-floor practice. Sampling a job through its production steps reveals gaps. You receive a prioritised action plan with owners, deadlines and expected evidence, rather than just a list of missing documents.
Your team implements the actions and collects reliable evidence. An internal first-party audit or mock audit checks effectiveness under realistic conditions: employees explain their work, job records are traced and inspection results are linked to requirements. Outstanding issues are addressed before the external audit.
The Nadcap audit assesses documentation, process implementation and evidence within the agreed scope. If nonconformances are raised, I support immediate actions, root-cause analysis, permanent corrective actions and clear evidence packages. Submission and follow-up follow the applicable PRI requirements and deadlines.
After implementation, we verify that the root cause has been removed and the issue does not recur. Internal audits, controlled changes and maintained records help preserve audit readiness between audits. Accreditation decisions belong to the Nadcap process, not to the consultant.
The following examples are practical assessment areas, not a ranking or an exhaustive list of AC 7120 requirements. Their relevance depends on your audit scope and applicable criteria.
A procedure describes a process performed differently at the workstation, or an obsolete revision is in use. We assess document control, compare requirements with actual practice and establish traceable changes.
Missing approvals, incomplete job records or inspection results that cannot be clearly linked to a job weaken evidence of conformity. We trace selected jobs from incoming material through assembly to inspection and close evidence gaps.
Depending on the audit scope, relevant areas may include qualifications for the work performed, equipment suitability, inspection equipment control and ESD handling. The required implementation must be evidenced, not merely described.
Additional training alone does not automatically remove the cause of a nonconformance. Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA) separates immediate correction, systemic cause, permanent action and effectiveness verification, producing a traceable response to the finding.
ISO 9001 provides the quality management foundation. DIN EN 9100 / AS 9100 adds requirements for aerospace, space and defence. Nadcap AC 7120 focuses on the technical assessment of printed board assembly. DIN EN 9100 certification does not automatically replace Nadcap accreditation, nor does Nadcap cover the entire management system.
Shared areas such as document control, competence, traceability, internal audits and corrective actions should nevertheless align. I help you use existing processes effectively and integrate the additional technical evidence without unnecessary parallel structures.
Explore DIN EN 9100 / AS 9100 consulting →Quality Innovativ is based in Roding in the Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, in southern Germany. Tobias Mangelkramer combines international Nadcap experience with practical consulting in German and English. The initial consultation establishes your starting point, planned audit scope and the appropriate next steps.
Request a Nadcap consultation →Technical references: PRI – AC 7120 Printed Board Assembly · PRI – Root Cause Corrective Action. The PRI documents and customer requirements applicable to your audit remain authoritative.
Further information about Nadcap from the Performance Review Institute (PRI):
pri-network.org/nadcapIn the free initial consultation, we analyse your current status and define the appropriate next steps.
