First Article and First-Part Inspection
Agree the sample, characteristics, report and release decision needed before your next production stage.
What This Page Covers
Define the Approval Purpose
Specify whether you need an initial dimensional check, a sample review, a full dimensional report or a contract-defined first article process. These scopes are not interchangeable. Provide the required format and release conditions before quotation.
Agree What Gets Checked
Identify the drawing revision, sample quantity, measured characteristics and verification method. Include material, finish or functional checks where they belong in the approval. A ballooned drawing can help connect requirements with results, but the required documentation must be agreed.
Inspect the Right Condition
State whether the sample is checked before or after the final treatment or finishing operation. If the sample differs from the intended delivery condition, identify the difference and the limits of the approval. An unfinished sample should not be represented as proof of all final requirements.
Record the Decision
The review should end with a clear decision: approved within the stated scope, additional information required, or further work required. Record unresolved points and who can authorize the next stage. A reply acknowledging receipt is not the same as a manufacturing release.
Review Changes Before Reuse
A later change to the drawing, material, process route or another agreed condition may require additional review. Define the triggers for reinspection or reapproval for your project. Keep the resulting decision linked to the relevant revision and order.
01Is first-piece inspection a formal FAI?
Not necessarily. An internal first-piece check and a contract-defined FAI may have different documentation and approval requirements.
02Do you automatically provide AS9102 documentation?
No such automatic scope is stated here. Submit the applicable requirement and request a specific capability and quotation review.
03Is PPAP the same as a first-part report?
No. A required submission package must be identified and separately reviewed; do not assume it is included in a general inspection report.
04Can I specify the sample quantity?
Provide the required sample quantity and acceptance basis before quotation so the associated manufacturing and inspection scope can be reviewed.
05Does approval cover every dimension?
Only the characteristics and conditions included in the agreed review. Identify any unverified requirement or separate functional validation.
06Should the sample be finished before inspection?
Specify the required acceptance state. Where final treatment affects the requirement, the plan must account for that condition.
07Can production start while approval is pending?
The agreed hold point controls that decision. Do not assume that sending a report or receiving an acknowledgement releases the next stage.
08Who should approve the results?
Identify the authorized reviewer or design representative for the particular approval. Keep that decision in the project record.
09When is reapproval needed?
Agree project-specific triggers such as relevant changes to revision, material or manufacturing route. The earlier approval should not be extended silently.
10What should I provide to quote an FAI scope?
Provide the drawing, required standard or format, characteristics, sample basis, reporting expectations and release conditions.
Discuss Your Requirements
Share your part type, current drawing revision and the question you need to resolve. Include the quantity and delivery destination when a quotation is required.
Kim, Sales Engineer