Our Quality Management Process
Space hardware cannot be serviced in orbit, and the consequences of a quality failure on a mission can be irreversible. That constraint shapes the way we work at every stage of a programme, from the first design decisions through to delivery and acceptance. Quality at Anywaves is not a final review step or a dedicated department working in isolation; it is embedded in how our engineering, manufacturing, and testing teams operate on a daily basis.
Our quality management framework applies consistently across our engineering and production sites in Toulouse, France and Hautcharage, Luxembourg, and through our commercial office in Austin, Texas. The same processes, the same standards, and the same expectations of rigour apply regardless of where a programme is being run.
The PDCA Method
Deming Wheel
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Gap Analysis: We identify deviations from our quality baseline and assess their potential impact on programme performance.
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SMART Objectives: Improvement targets are defined with clear metrics, owners, and timelines so that progress can be tracked objectively.
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Action Plans: Concrete steps, resource allocation, and milestones are documented before any change is implemented.
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Controlled Implementation: Changes are introduced in a controlled manner, with monitoring in place from the first execution.
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Real-Time Tracking: KPIs and process indicators are tracked continuously to detect deviations early.
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Result Analysis: Data is reviewed against objectives to evaluate whether the action plan produced the expected outcome.
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Immediate Corrections: Where deviations are identified, corrective steps are triggered without waiting for the next cycle.
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Standardisation: Validated improvements are embedded into our standard operating procedures and applied across all relevant programmes.
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Next Cycle: Completing one cycle is the starting point for the next. The loop does not close; it keeps running, which is what gives the PDCA framework its value over time.
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Compliance and Certifications: the EN 9100 Standard
EN 9100 is the most demanding quality standard in the aerospace industry. It goes well beyond ISO 9001, with specific requirements around traceability, risk management, control of critical items, and configuration control that space programmes require.
Our Toulouse, France site has been EN 9100 certified since 2021. Our Hautcharage, Luxembourg site is on track for certification in 2027, aligned with the Toulouse renewal cycle. Across both sites, the same quality principles and process discipline are already in place.
In practice, EN 9100 certification means that several things are systematically in place across our operations:
Managing Non-Conformities: Control, Analysis, Resolution
When a non-conformity is detected, the immediate response matters, but so does the investigation that follows. Fixing the affected unit without understanding what caused the problem leaves the same issue open for the next programme. Our non-conformity management process is designed to contain the situation quickly, then work systematically to identify the root cause and put corrective and preventive actions in place that actually prevent recurrence.
Immediate Control
As soon as a non-conformity is detected, the affected product is quarantined and formally logged before any further processing takes place. Nothing moves forward until the disposition has been determined. That step is important because it limits the scope of the problem and ensures that the downstream production chain is not affected by something that has not yet been resolved.
Root Cause Analysis: a Multi-Tool Approach
Different types of non-conformities call for different investigation approaches. We use a range of methods and select the one that is most appropriate to the nature and complexity of the problem, rather than applying a single methodology to every situation regardless of fit:
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8D Report (Eight Disciplines): a structured eight-step process that is well suited to recurring or cross-functional issues, covering everything from initial containment through to verification of the corrective action.
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Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa): a causal analysis tool that helps map contributing factors across multiple dimensions (people, equipment, materials, methods, and measurement) and is particularly useful when the root cause is not immediately obvious.
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5 Whys: a straightforward iterative questioning method that is effective for problems where a clear causal chain can be established without the need for a more elaborate analytical framework.
Corrective and Preventive Actions
Each corrective and preventive action is assigned an owner, given a deadline, and includes a defined verification step to confirm that it has actually resolved the problem. Actions are tracked through to formal closure, and where a corrective action has implications for other product lines or programmes, it is extended to cover those cases rather than being treated as a single isolated fix.
Documentation and Review
Every non-conformity is fully documented from the point of detection through to closure. That data feeds into our regular quality reviews, where we look at trends and recurring patterns across programmes. Individual incidents become inputs to process improvement rather than isolated events that are resolved and forgotten.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
EN 9100 requires continuous improvement as a formal commitment, and we take that seriously.
Every audit finding, every piece of customer feedback, and every closed non-conformity is treated as an input to the improvement process. The goal is not to manage quality from the outside but to make the system itself better over time.
Regular Internal and External Audits
Employee Training and Competency Development
Customer and Supplier Feedback Integration
Cross-Site Knowledge Sharing
Audits verify that our processes are operating as intended and surface areas where practice has drifted from procedure, or where the procedure itself should be updated. Both types of finding are treated as useful information.
A quality management system only works if the people using it understand it and apply it consistently. We invest in ongoing training across all functions, with particular attention to the process disciplines that are most critical in a space production environment.
Programme reviews, post-delivery debriefs, and customer satisfaction surveys all generate information that we use to improve how we work. We equally integrate feedback from our suppliers on how to improve our exchanges with them. Meeting the technical specification is the baseline; the aim is to keep getting better at the programme management and communication aspects as well.
One practical benefit of operating as a group across Toulouse, France and Hautcharage, Luxembourg is that improvements developed at one site can be evaluated and adopted at the other. Best practices are shared rather than staying local to the team that developed them.
Our Quality Policy
Our quality policy has been defined at group level, reviewed during our most recent management review, and approved by Dr. Nicolas Capet, Founder and President. It applies to all Anywaves entities. It is reviewed annually and communicated to all employees and to our customers through this website.
Related Expertise
Planning a new programme?
Whether you are at the stage of preliminary design and want to understand how our industrialization process fits your programme timeline, or you are looking for a production partner for an existing product, we are happy to discuss what your programme actually needs.
Questions & Answers
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When should industrialization start in a space programme?
Industrialization should begin during the design phase, not after. Early integration of DFMEA, PFMEA and DfX principles ensures that manufacturability, reliability and scalability are built into the product from the start.
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What is the main risk when moving from prototype to production?
The main risk is that the prototype does not accurately represent the series product. Differences in materials, processes or assembly methods can invalidate test results. Our approach is to build prototypes using the same processes intended for production.
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How do you ensure production consistency?
Through a combination of a frozen design baseline, validated manufacturing processes, SPC monitoring, and strict traceability at unit level. This ensures controlled variation and repeatable performance across batches.
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What role does PPAP play in your process?
PPAP formally demonstrates that the production process is capable of consistently meeting all technical requirements. It is a key validation step before full-scale production is authorised
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Can your process scale to higher production volumes?
Yes. The industrialization framework is designed to scale without changing the core process. Validation steps such as PRR, PPAP and FAI ensure that scaling does not introduce additional risk.
Space hardware industrialization for reliable and scalable production
Industrializing space hardware requires more than validating a design. It involves building a controlled, repeatable and traceable production process capable of delivering consistent performance across multiple units and production cycles.
At Anywaves, our industrialization methodology integrates DFMEA, PFMEA, control plans, and aerospace-standard validation steps such as PPAP and First Article Inspection. This structured approach ensures that risks are identified early, manufacturing processes are stabilised before production, and product performance remains consistent from prototype to series.
Our teams support satellite manufacturers and payload integrators in transitioning from design to production, ensuring scalability, traceability and compliance with space industry standards.
From RF antennas to active electronics and SDR platforms, we deliver industrialized space hardware ready for reliable deployment in orbit.
