AEROSPACE CNC MACHINING & CONTRACT MANUFACTURING

Firstar Precision is an ITAR-registered defense CNC supplier headquartered in Brunswick, Ohio. We machine precision components for weapons systems, autonomous platforms, propulsion, ordnance, and other rugged applications. Our shop holds the compliance credentials, quality systems, and domestic supply chain that defense programs demand.

ISO 9001:2015 Certified 

Rigorous quality management across every process, from first article to final delivery.

ITAR
Registered 

Authorized to manufacture and handle components subject to U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

JCP & CMMC Certified 

Joint Certification Program approved and CMMC Level 2 certified for access to controlled, unclassified data.

Domestic Aerospace Manufacturing 

100% U.S.-based production from our 27,000 sq. ft. facility in Brunswick, Ohio since 2000.

Precision Machining for the Most Demanding Environment in Manufacturing

Aerospace CNC machining demands a supplier who understands the full chain of accountability. From traceability of raw material certifications to first article inspection and on-time delivery against complex program schedules, aerospace supply chains leave no room for ambiguity.  

At Firstar, we specialize in components where every critical feature is verified, every material is documented, and every delivery is on schedule. Our ISO 9001:2015-certified quality system is built to meet the expectations of aerospace suppliers.

Applications for Machined Aerospace Components

Firstar’s multi-process machining capabilities, including 5-axis turning, horizontal and vertical CNC milling, wire EDM, OD grinding, and horizontal honing, allow us to produce the full range of aerospace component types in-house, with minimal handoffs and tighter schedule control.

Aircraft Components

Our horizontal and vertical CNC mills deliver the accuracy and repeatability to produce brackets, housings, and other mechanical assembly components milled from large aluminum or titanium billets.

Spacecraft Systems

Space applications demand lightweight, durable components that perform reliably under extreme vacuum, thermal shock, and vibration. Firstar machines high-performance parts for satellite components.

Turbine Engine & Propulsion Components

We machine components that require complex aerodynamic profiles — like engine shims thinner than human hair — from stainless steel or other specialty alloys.

Avionics & Structural Housings

Our team produces lightweight aluminum enclosures for electronic and instrument systems where thin walls and complex pocket features demand high-speed CNC milling.

Hydraulic & Fuel System Manifolds

Our CNC machining team handles complex internal passage geometries and threaded connections with minimal setups, reducing positional error and leak risk in high-pressure aircraft systems.

Take A Look Inside Firstar

Our aim is to be a true extension of our clients’ teams. Meet the people behind Firstar who makes this happen everyday and get a glimpse inside our shop.

Materials We Machine for Aerospace Components

Aerospace components are only as good as the materials behind them. Firstar works with aerospace-grade alloys and specialty materials like shape memory alloys, with full material traceability available for every job.

Titanium

Lightweight, strong, and corrosion-resistant, ideal for aircraft and spacecraft components.

Aluminum Alloys

Versatile and lightweight, used extensively in structural and non-structural applications.

Stainless Steel

Offering strength, corrosion resistance, and durability for critical systems.

Nickel Alloys

High-performance materials for extreme heat and pressure environments.

Why Aerospace Buyers Choose Firstar

As a domestic aerospace contract manufacturer based in Ohio, Firstar gives aerospace suppliers a qualified, accountable partner. We act as an extension of your team and work with you through every part of the process.

Certified Quality System

We’re ISO 9001:2015 certified with CMM inspection capability including Zeiss and Mitutoyo coordinate-measuring machines and a Gleason analytical gear inspection machine. Learn more about our quality standards and inspection process.

Multi-Process In-House Capability

We handle jobs that require 5-axis turning, CNC milling, wire EDM, OD grinding, gear shaping, horizontal honing, and laser etch — all under one roof. Fewer handoffs means tighter tolerances and faster turnaround. See our full machining capabilities.

Just-in-Time Delivery Programs

Aerospace supply chains run on schedule. Our just-in-time order fulfillment and Kanban programs keep your line running without excess inventory or supply gaps.

Design for Manufacturing Support

Early supplier involvement saves cost and schedule. Our engineers review designs for manufacturability before the first part gets machined. Learn about our DFM services.

End-to-End Manufacturing

From raw material through final inspection and delivery, Firstar manages the complete production flow. No program management burden on your team. See our end-to-end services.

ITAR Registered & JCP Approved

Firstar is registered under ITAR for the manufacturing and handling of defense-related technical data and JCP approved for access to controlled, unclassified technical data governed by the U.S. and Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace CNC Machining

Common questions from aerospace engineers, procurement teams, and program managers evaluating suppliers for aerospace contract manufacturing.

Why source aerospace components from a domestic U.S. supplier?

Sourcing aerospace components from a domestic U.S. manufacturer offers several advantages that offshore sourcing cannot easily replicate: supply chain security, regulatory compliance, and schedule reliability. For programs involving ITAR-controlled technical data, using an offshore supplier creates significant legal exposure. ITAR governs the export of defense-related drawings and specifications, and sharing them with foreign nationals or entities without proper authorization is a federal violation.

Even for commercial aerospace programs, domestic suppliers eliminate the lead time variability, quality audit complexity, and logistics disruption risk that come with offshore machining. Material traceability is also cleaner domestically: Alloys sourced from U.S. mills come with straightforward certification chains that support first article inspection and customer audits. And when engineering changes arise mid-program, a domestic supplier can respond in days rather than weeks.
What tolerances are required for aerospace components?

Aerospace machining commonly demands tolerances in the range of ±0.001″ to ±0.0005″ for structural parts or tighter for critical features in propulsion and hydraulic systems. Engine components like turbine discs and compressor blades routinely require profiles held to ±0.0005″ or tighter. These tolerances are verified using coordinate-measuring machines (CMMs) rather than manual gauging.

Firstar’s team has machined complex components such as UAV engine shims thinner than human hair. Tolerance capability varies by feature type, material, and geometry. We recommend requesting a Design for Manufacturing review early in your program.
What materials are used in aerospace component manufacturing?

Titanium alloys, nickel superalloys (such as Inconel), aluminum alloys, stainless steel, and high-strength steels are the most common materials in aerospace components.
If your component calls for a material not listed here, contact our team. We work with a broad range of advanced alloys.
What should you look for in an aerospace contract manufacturer?

The most important factors when evaluating an aerospace contract manufacturer are quality certifications, inspection capability, supply chain reliability, and engineering support. At minimum, look for ISO 9001:2015 certification with documented process controls and coordinate-measuring machine (CMM) inspection for first article and production verification. Certain parts will also require an AS9100 certification as per the OEMs and/or Tier 1 supplier requirements. Aerospace part traceability is non-negotiable for most manufacturers. Beyond certifications, assess whether the supplier offers Design for Manufacturing (DFM) review early in the program, which prevents costly tolerance or fixturing issues from reaching production. Just-in-time fulfillment and Kanban programs are also worth evaluating: aerospace supply chains are schedule-driven, and a supplier who can align inventory to your production cadence reduces both carrying costs and line-stop risk. Finally, favor suppliers with broad in-house capability under one roof. Fewer subcontractors means fewer handoffs, fewer compliance touchpoints, and tighter control over delivery.
What is design for manufacturability (DFM) in aerospace machining?

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) in aerospace machining is the practice of reviewing a component’s design before production begins to identify features that would be unnecessarily difficult, costly, or risky to machine. In aerospace, this typically means examining tolerance stack-up across mating features, evaluating whether tight tolerances on non-critical surfaces can be relaxed without affecting function, assessing workholding strategy for complex geometries, and identifying material substitutions that maintain performance while reducing machining difficulty.

DFM is particularly valuable for components machined from difficult materials like titanium or nickel superalloys, where scrap rates on expensive billets must be minimized. When an aerospace contract manufacturer performs DFM review during the quoting or program onboarding phase, the result is lower cost per part, shorter lead time, and fewer engineering changes once production is underway.
What certifications should an aerospace machining supplier have?

The baseline expectation for aerospace suppliers is ISO 9001:2015, which establishes a documented quality management system. AS9100 (currently Rev D) is the aerospace-specific quality standard that builds on ISO 9001 with additional requirements for risk management, configuration control, and first article inspection. For suppliers working on defense-related technical data, ITAR registration is also required. Joint Certification Program (JCP) approval is needed for suppliers accessing controlled technical data shared between the U.S. and Canadian governments. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is now required for accessing Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) across defense applications.

Firstar is ISO 9001:2015 certified, ITAR registered, and CMMC Level 2 certified. We are also an approved supplier under the Joint Certification Program (JCP). Our quality page details our inspection equipment and certification documentation.

Ready to Qualify Firstar for Your Aerospace Program?

Whether you’re sourcing a prototype run or establishing a long-term supply agreement, our team is ready to review your requirements, discuss certification documentation, and provide a detailed quote.