What does First Article Inspection mean?

Answer 1

To expand/clarify the first two answers a bit....

First article inspection is done BEFORE and item goes into production. You want to find out if your manufacturing processes produce an item that meets specifications before you build production articles. Before making the FAI item, you may build some prototypes using something less than the full-planned manufacturing process to check certain features. For example, a part hand welded when the manufacturing plan calls for robotics would be a prototype and not usable for FAI.

FAI proves that both the product meets specifications but also that the processes to manufacture that product are mature and stable and ready for use (tooling, NC programs, paint processes, etc.)

And as further expansion, FAI is usually also a contract event that may, on successful conclusion, trigger a major progress payment or a schedule-related bonus. In most contracts, the buyer does not have to accept any items offered for acceptance until FAI is complete, or he may accept them on an interim waiver (accepted conditionally provided that FAI does complete satisfactorily with an identical article.

Answer 2

Hi. First Article Inspection is done on a product after it goes into production to assure the process is capable of meeting specifications.

Answer 3

A first article is a single piece of a item that is ready to be produced. This checked for form fit and function against the manufacturing specification to verify that it has been built correctly.