First Article Inspection
Also called: FAI · AS9102
FAI is the full inspection of the first part of a batch, feature by feature, proving the process makes what the drawing asks.
FAI (first article inspection) is the documented verification of every characteristic of a part made by the production process, before the batch is released. In aerospace it follows AS9102; in other sectors it shows up in PPAP and in company control plans.
How it works
The starting point is the ballooned drawing: every dimension, geometric tolerance, note and finish gets a number. Inspection measures each item, records the actual value and marks pass or fail in a report that references the drawing revision, material and process. A new FAI is required when the revision, machine or supplier changes, or after a long production gap.
Practical example
A machined bracket has 46 characteristics on its drawing. The ballooned drawing numbers all of them, the first part goes to the CMM and the report shows 45 passes and one radius out. The program is corrected, a new part is measured on that item only, and the batch is released with full traceability.
Common mistakes
- Ballooning by hand and missing general notes and table dimensions.
- Running FAI on a part adjusted by hand, which does not represent the production process.
- Not tying the report to the drawing revision.
FAQ
Who makes the ballooned drawing?
It can be the supplier's quality team or the customer's engineering. What matters is that numbering is unique and follows the drawing revision.
Updated
Related service
Manufacturing documentation
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