Today’s aerospace manufacturers often require high-precision, highly specialized hardware and fasteners. Unfortunately, off-the-shelf hardware simply falls short in many cases when it comes to accommodating complex aerospace design requirements, while also meeting the most rigorous standards in safety and performance. That’s why the aerospace industry increasingly turns to custom machined fasteners which are engineered and manufactured to the exact specifications necessary.
Of course, it’s not only aerospace that requires unique hardware solutions. From specialized industrial fasteners to defense products and energy sector equipment, many industries are turning to custom machined components to meet their specific hardware requirements.
Regardless of your use case or application, Superior Machining and Fabrication can produce the highly customized, complex hardware needed for virtually any job at hand. Utilizing advanced Swiss-turn machining for small parts in addition to comprehensive CNC mill-turning services, our custom hardware and fasteners are manufactured to some of the industry’s strictest standards in quality and precision.
Precision Hardware That Meets the Military and Aeronautical Standards:
Aeronautical Standard (AN) Hardware
The Aeronautical Standard (AN) for aerospace hardware was originally developed by the US Army and Navy in the 1930s. The World Wars ushered in a new era of advanced military aircraft and naval technology, coinciding with the establishment of the civilian aviation industry. AN was created to standardize aircraft and military hardware, ensuring quality and reliability in addition to interchangeability across different manufacturers and military branches. Although AN standards have mostly been superseded by NAS or MS standards below, some older AN hardware is still found within legacy aircraft or unique applications.
National Aeronautical Standard (NAS) Hardware
The National Aeronautical Standard (NAS) for aerospace hardware was developed in the 1950s to replace and consolidate the numerous AN standards, which were largely becoming outdated or obsolete. The new NAS guidelines aimed to simplify the hardware identification and overall procurement process. Simultaneously, it established new high-precision, high-performance standards for aerospace hardware quality and reliability. NAS hardware is now widely used in both commercial and military aviation.
Military Standard (MS) Hardware
Modern Military Standard (MS) hardware encompasses a wider range of hardware types and materials than the above AN and NAS standards. MS standards are developed and maintained by the US Department of Defense, covering not just aerospace but also military ground vehicles, naval ships, and other military equipment. MS hardware is used extensively throughout today’s military applications in which precision, durability, and compliance with strict specifications are critical.
Swiss Machined Hardware, Precision Fasteners, and Small Components:
High-Precision Hardware and Other Small Parts – Superior’s Swiss-turn machining capabilities are optimized precision hardware, fasteners, and various complex small parts. We can typically maintain higher repeatability and closer tolerances than conventional CNC turning providers.
Optimized for Small Diameter Hardware – That high repeatability translates perfectly to small diameter hardware and other complex small cylindrical / tapered components. Today’s aerospace manufacturers and other specialized hardware requirements often demand extreme precision in miniature / micro manufacturing, and Superior’s Swiss machining services deliver.
Compatible with Complex Hardware Geometries – Complex hardware designs and highly customized fasteners are no challenge for our Swiss-turn machines. We can accommodate virtually any intricate part geometries, including features like cross-drilling, cross-milling, and other multi-tool operations.
Superior Quality Fasteners and Hardware Made in the USA Since 1995
Backed by more than 25 years of quality American machining services, Superior knows the importance of accommodating higher precision and design complexity for today’s custom hardware. With over 100+ CNC workcenters at our disposal, including high-precision Swiss machining technology, our company tackles the custom hardware manufacturing requirements for customers throughout the Muenster, Texas region and across the nation.
