How IIA Meets the Aerospace Industry’s Need for Speed
Today’s commercial and military aircraft contain millions of parts. There is no room for error when it comes to the safety and quality of every single component.
By providing reliable product measurements, metrology helps the aerospace industry improve overall quality assurance and dependability in manufacturing. Without the use of metrology in aerospace manufacturing, airplanes, helicopters, rockets, and satellites would likely never assemble reliably or perform as intended.
Speed is essential in the fast-moving aerospace industry, and it should never come at the cost of quality. A full-service testing provider with experienced staff can streamline critical quality processes, saving aerospace companies time, money, and trouble.
As a leading provider of metrology and a full range of ISO-accredited lab services, Industrial Inspection & Analysis (IIA) helps top names in aerospace — Boeing, Honeywell, Lockheed-Martin, and SpaceX, to name a few — ensure the safety of aerospace parts and equipment before they ever leave the ground. Our one-stop-shop services translate to fast turnaround times and cost-effective solutions for aerospace and defense customers.
Why Metrology Matters
Metrology in manufacturing is the study of how to reliably measure and manufacture a product. It is also referred to as:
- Quality inspection
- Dimensional inspection
- Validation & verification
- Product evaluation
- Contract inspection
- Layout inspection
Metrology allows businesses to compare the actual condition of a manufactured part to the nominal condition — as defined by engineering drawings, templates, CAD models, or master tools. Metrology labs use coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and other precision equipment to ensure every part meets design specifications.
IIA’s Metrology Capabilities
IIA provides metrology services for every phase of the aerospace product life cycle. Our specialties include:
- Dimensional Inspection
- Advanced GD&T Inspection
- Laser Scanning
- CT Scanning
- First Article Inspection
- Capability Studies
- Modeling
- Part Sorting
- Reverse Engineering
- Other Quality-Related Needs
IIA continually invests in training and technology to stay ahead in the evolving world of metrology. We’ve built an extensive inventory of state-of-the-art measuring tools, including:
- CT scanners
- Laser scanners
- Touch probe and optical CMMs
- Profilometers
Our metrology experts consider tolerances, materials, and product geometry to pair the right tools with each unique inspection project.
Why Choose IIA?
From commercial airlines to the International Space Station, IIA brings decades of experience in the aerospace industry. Our ISO-accredited labs offer:
- Fast Turnaround Times: Results in days, not weeks
- Metrology Expertise: Deep GD&T knowledge for complex inspections
- Advanced Equipment: From CT scanners to high-precision CMMs
- Mobile Services: On-site support for large or delicate parts
- One-Stop-Shop Services: Metrology, NDT, chemical, mechanical, and EMC/RF testing — all under one PO
- Compliance Expertise: Industry-leading documentation and regulatory support
- Story-Worthy Service: “White glove” treatment for every customer, from startups to major manufacturers
IIA’s advanced technologies and expert team enable us to deliver results in just days — a significant improvement over the weeks often required by other labs, including in-house facilities that may face heavy backlogs.
We are proud to hold industry-leading accreditations:
- ISO 17025 Accredited
- AS 9100 Compliant
- NADCAP Accredited – for tensile testing, NDT, salt spray testing, metallurgical testing, and QA/audit support
- FAA Repair Stations: Certified labs in St. Louis and Sunnyvale
- AMO 84-18 Approved: via our Kova Engineering subsidiary
From air travel to space exploration, the aerospace industry continues to shape our world. IIA is honored to support the safety and quality behind every lift-off, launch, and landing.
