Wexmar provides first article inspection services for machined parts, with reports prepared in AS9102 format and supported by CMM data, material certifications, and outside processor certifications. A first article proves that our process, as set up, produces a part that meets every requirement on your drawing and purchase order. Buyers searching for an AS9102 first article inspection source or first article inspection near me can have parts machined and inspected on one floor at our Canastota, New York shop near Syracuse.
What first article inspection is
First article inspection, or FAI, is a complete, documented verification of the first production part made from a new or changed process. Every characteristic on the drawing, including dimensions, tolerances, notes, thread callouts, finish requirements, and material and process specifications, is identified, numbered, and verified with objective evidence. The AS9102 format organizes that evidence into three forms: part number accountability, product accountability for raw material, special processes, and functional tests, and characteristic accountability listing each ballooned feature with its requirement and measured result. Many aerospace, defense, and industrial customers use this format even when they do not require the full aerospace standard.
When a buyer needs first article inspection
- A new part number or first order from a new supplier
- A drawing revision that changes form, fit, or function
- A change in manufacturing process, location, material source, or outside processor
- A lapse in production, often two years or more, depending on customer requirements
- Defense and government build-to-print contracts that call for FAI in the purchase order
How Wexmar performs FAI
The drawing is ballooned so every characteristic has a number. The first part is produced on the machine that will run production, whether that is one of our ten Mazak and Doosan CNC lathes, one of four Maier MLK-32 Swiss machines, or one of six Mazak horizontal machining centers. The part is then measured in our inspection room on a Brown & Sharpe Gage 2000 or Gage ONE CMM, a Mitsubishi optical comparator, and calibrated hand and thread gages. Material certifications and certifications from any outside processors, such as heat treat, plating, anodizing, or passivation vendors, are attached as product accountability. The completed package is reviewed before the parts ship. Details are on our CMM inspection page.
Full and partial FAI
A full FAI covers every characteristic on the drawing. A partial, or delta, FAI covers only the characteristics affected by a change, such as a revised dimension or a new material source, and references the prior full FAI for everything else. We follow your purchase order on which type is required, and we can recommend the appropriate scope when a drawing revision arrives.
Typical FAI package contents
| Item | What it contains |
|---|---|
| Form 1: part number accountability | Part number, revision, name, serial or lot, FAI type, sign-off |
| Form 2: product accountability | Raw material specification and certs, special processes and certs, functional tests if any |
| Form 3: characteristic accountability | Each ballooned characteristic, requirement, measured result, method, pass or fail |
| Ballooned drawing | Drawing with numbered characteristics keyed to Form 3 |
| CMM report | Datum-referenced measurements supporting Form 3 |
| Material and processor certs | Mill certs, heat-lot traceability, outside processor certifications |
Typical inspection precision follows the ten-to-one rule, meaning the measuring method is roughly ten times more precise than the tolerance being verified.
Materials and parts covered
We prepare first articles for parts in carbon and alloy steels, stainless, Nitronic 50, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, titanium, and engineered plastics. Where DFARS 252.225-7009 specialty metals compliance is required, material certifications documenting compliant sourcing are included in product accountability.
Quantity fit
FAI applies to the first part of a lot regardless of lot size. It is common on prototypes that will move to production, on first production orders, and on repeat orders after a revision. For single-piece orders, the FAI part is often the delivered part itself, and we confirm with you whether that is acceptable.
Quality system
Wexmar operates an ISO 9001:2015-aligned quality management system with ISO/IEC 17025-aligned gage calibration and NIST-traceable CMM calibration. We prepare FAI reports in AS9102 format; we do not claim AS9100 registration. For defense work, see our government and defense machining page.
Getting a quote
Note FAI requirements on the purchase order or request for quote so the inspection time is included. You can upload a drawing for an instant estimate, and a human estimator confirms every quote. Call (315) 400-2654 or email ron@backwell.com, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern.