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Mikron Manufacturing
Quality

First-Article Inspection: What It Is and When to Require It

Reviewed by Mikron Manufacturing Engineering Team 8/15/2026
First-article inspection formally verifies that a manufacturing process produces parts matching the drawing before a full release runs. Here is how it works.

A first-article inspection (FAI) is a complete, documented verification of the first part produced by a new or changed manufacturing process against every requirement on the drawing.

The purpose is simple: catch process problems on part one, not part one hundred. If a dimension is trending out of tolerance or a note was misread, the first article surfaces it before the release runs.

When should you require an FAI? Typically at the start of production for a new part, after a design revision, after a process or supplier change, or after a long gap in production. Many defense and OEM quality clauses require it in exactly these situations.

What you receive is a report documenting the measured value for each drawing requirement on the inspected part. Paired with material certifications and Certificates of Conformance, the FAI forms the documentation backbone of a controlled production release.

Mikron performs first-article inspections under its ISO 9001:2015 quality system, and provides material certifications and Certificates of Conformance on request.

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