In the world of aerospace and defense manufacturing, NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) certification isn't just a competitive advantage, it's often a fundamental requirement for doing business. For composite manufacturers operating under the AS7118A standard, maintaining rigorous material traceability – from initial raw material delivery throughout the entire production lifecycle until the autoclave – is critical to both achieving and retaining this prestigious certification.
Composite manufacturers can us CrossTrack to track material life - from delivery of the raw material through to the autoclave.
The challenge facing composite manufacturers today is significant: how do you maintain complete visibility and control over materials that have limited shelf lives, specific storage requirements, and complex usage patterns while simultaneously optimizing production efficiency, while also having location and life traceability to ply level? The answer lies in implementing a comprehensive material tracking solution like CrossTrack, integrated seamlessly with intelligent nesting software.
NADCAP compliancy auditors examine every aspect of composite manufacturing operations, with particular attention to material handling and traceability. The AS7118A standard requires that manufacturers demonstrate documented control over composite materials—from receipt, through storage and handling, to final use in production.
This requirement stems from the critical nature of aerospace applications, where material integrity directly impacts safety. A single batch of compromised composite material could potentially affect multiple aircraft components, making comprehensive traceability not just a regulatory requirement but a safety imperative.
Without robust tracking systems, manufacturers face several compliance risks:
CrossTrack helps manufacturers turn the complex challenge of composite material management into a streamlined, auditable process. By providing real-time visibility into both raw material and cut ply location, consumption, and life tracking, it enables the comprehensive traceability records that NADCAP auditors look for.
The system's material life management capabilities are particularly crucial for composite manufacturers. Unlike traditional materials, composites such as prepregs and adhesives have strict shelf-life requirements and must be stored under specific environmental conditions. CrossTrack continuously monitors these parameters, providing alerts before materials approach their expiration dates and helping manufacturers maintain storage conditions within acceptable ranges.
When NADCAP auditors review your operations, CrossTrack provides detailed, time-stamped records of every material transaction. This includes receipt documentation, storage history, environmental condition logs, and consumption records—all accessible through intuitive reporting interfaces that demonstrate your commitment to quality and compliance.
One of CrossTrack's most significant advantages is its seamless integration with JETCAM's advanced nesting software. This integration creates a powerful synergy that addresses multiple operational challenges simultaneously.
✔ Material-aware planning – The system automatically accounts for material availability, shelf life, and location when nesting operations are planned.
✔ Automatic allocation – Before a nesting layout is created, CrossTrack automatically reserves and allocates materials based on rules set by the user, usually relating to expiry date. Once nests are cut, ERP and other data systems can be updated in real-time.
✔ Tracking from delivery to the autoclave – As CrossTrack assigns material stock to scheduled nests, it also allocates it to each individual ply, allowing their location and life to be tracked and logged individually. This is especially important if plies of one material need to be placed into storage while awaiting other plies to be cut.
✔ Audit-ready records – Detailed usage data links specific materials to parts or batches, providing robust traceability aligned with aerospace requirements.
Integrated nesting means that material can be allocated during Just In Time nest generation
Modern composite manufacturing operations rely on multiple software systems, from ERP and/or MES platforms through to quality management systems. CrossTrack’s architecture ensures that material tracking information can flow seamlessly across your organization’s digital ecosystem.
This eliminates the manual data entry and duplication of data across multiple systems that often leads to errors and compliance gaps.
Beyond compliance requirements, CrossTrack delivers operational benefits that enhance overall manufacturing performance:
For composite manufacturers pursuing or maintaining NADCAP certification, comprehensive material traceability isn’t optional—it’s essential. CrossTrack provides the digital infrastructure that helps manufacturers efficiently meet these demanding requirements and sustain NADCAP certification over time, turning compliance into a competitive advantage.
In an industry where compliance and efficiency must coexist, CrossTrack represents the technological foundation that enables composite manufacturers to excel in both areas—ensuring that NADCAP compliancy certification becomes not just an achievement, but a sustainable differentiator.