In precision machining, making one good part isn’t enough. The goal is to make every part right—and one of the ways we help ensure that happens is through First Article Inspection (FAI).
A First Article Inspection is a detailed inspection of the first completed part, or representative part, produced from a new setup or manufacturing process. The purpose is simple: verify that the machining process is producing a part that meets the customer’s requirements before moving forward with production.
Depending on the job and customer requirements, FAI may involve checking dimensions, tolerances, threads, surface features, materials, and other specifications called out on the drawing or purchase order.
Once the initial part has been machined, our team carefully measures the required features using the appropriate inspection equipment. That may include micrometers, calipers, gauges, optical measuring equipment, or a coordinate measuring machine (CMM).
Those measurements are compared with the customer’s print and specifications. If something isn’t where it needs to be, we can make adjustments to the machining process before continuing the production run.
For customers requiring formal First Article documentation, the inspection results can also be recorded and reported as required.
At Adept Manufacturing & Gauging, First Article Inspection is more than an inspection step—it’s an important part of controlling the manufacturing process.
Taking the time to verify a setup at the beginning helps us catch potential problems before they become a run of nonconforming parts. That reduces scrap and rework, protects delivery schedules, and gives our machinists valuable information about how the process is performing.
As an ISO 9001-certified precision machine shop, we believe quality should be built into the process, not simply checked at the end.
For our customers, that means greater confidence that the parts we deliver will meet their requirements—from the first part to the last.