Ensuring Precision and Trust: How First Article Inspections at Peerless Precision Guarantee Quality

At Peerless Precision, we specialize in precision machining for demanding industries like aerospace and defense. Some shops are intimidated by the standards required for these sectors, but we thrive on these challenges. As an AS9100 and ISO-certified machine shop, we emphasize quality in every aspect of our operations.

First Article Inspection (FAI) is a particularly exacting process. FAI confirms every part we produce meets our clients’ specifications. With our talented workforce and state-of-the-art machining capabilities, Peerless Precision performs FAIs for the highest quality assurance and customer confidence in our results.

What is First Article Inspection?

An FAI is a comprehensive examination of a part against its design specifications. We conduct FAIs at the request of customers, most commonly when we produce a machined part for the first time or are manufacturing a component after a multi-year hiatus.

An FAI is different from our typical inspection process, in which we evaluate a certain percentage of the parts as specified by the customer. For many of our clients, an FAI involves 100% inspection of the entire lot. This process is labor-intensive, but its results validate the quality of a customer’s parts, ensuring efficient future production.

FAIs We Perform at Our Tight Tolerance Machine Shop

At Peerless Precision, we offer a range of FAI services, including full First Article Inspections, partial First Article Inspections, and AS9102 First Article Inspections tailored for the aerospace industry.

• Full FAI: We assess every characteristic of a part or assembly.
• Partial FAI: We inspect only specified features.

The two are broadly similar – in both cases, customers provide balloon drawings outlining the dimensions we must inspect, along with details about required materials and outside processes. As we conduct our inspection, we meticulously document our measurements, specify the tools used, verify the material and its origin, list special processes utilized, and detail supplier information and certifications.

At the conclusion of our inspection, we provide this information to the customer in a Certificate of Conformance, ensuring traceability and compliance with all requirements. This comprehensive documentation establishes a quality assurance baseline for our future production runs.

Aerospace machining projects frequently involve AS9102 First Article Inspections, which are more stringent than standard FAIs. These inspections require detailed documentation for every dimension, characteristic, and requirement of the part. As an AS9100 machine shop, we are fully equipped to perform these thorough inspections.

Building Customer Trust Through Quality Assurance

First Article Inspections are vital in building customer confidence in our products. They not only document our results, they also help us identify and address potential quality issues before they impact production. We approach FAIs with exceptional attention to detail, recognizing their importance in establishing and maintaining customer trust.

To ensure accuracy, we employ sophisticated measuring tools that are calibrated on a yearly basis. Our facility houses Coordinate Measuring Machines for complex geometries, cylindricity inspection machines for circular parts, and instant measurement machines for rapid data collection, alongside traditional tools like micrometers and calipers. If a customer’s project will require specialized inspection tools, we’re open to discussing an investment in new equipment to meet your needs.

While our advanced technology is essential, our skilled inspectors are our greatest asset. Each FAI is conducted by our most senior inspectors, all of whom also have a background in machining. This dual expertise enables them to identify issues and communicate effectively with our machinists to implement necessary process corrections. Their technical knowledge sets our inspections apart, guaranteeing the best possible outcomes for our customers.

Experience Our Commitment to Quality

When we perform an FAI, you can rest assured that the parts shipped will meet or exceed all your requirements. With over 12 years of First Article Inspections under our belt and no customer rejections, we provide the reliability you can count on.

We invite you to discuss your next project with us and experience our commitment to quality firsthand. Request a quote today and see how Peerless Precision can meet your machining needs.