Glossary
FAI — first article inspection — definition
Full measurement and documentation of the first parts from a new tool, against every dimension on the drawing.
FAI is the gate between trial running and series production. Every dimension on the drawing is measured and entered in a report, which the customer approves before the series starts.
The purpose is to catch deviations while they can still be corrected in the tool, rather than after 20,000 parts have been made.
In the automotive industry the equivalent process is PPAP and is far more extensive, with process capability studies and a documentation package.
For load-bearing parts in mobility aids, marine and defence, FAI is usually a requirement. If you need it, say so in the enquiry — you will get a concrete answer on what we can deliver.