AS9100 First Article Inspection (FAI)

AS9100 FAI stands for AS9100 First Article Inspection. It is a requirement of the AS9100 aerospace quality management system standard that requires a comprehensive inspection of the first product produced from a new or changed process. The purpose of an FAI is to verify that the new or changed process is capable of producing products that meet all applicable requirements.

The AS9100 FAI process typically includes the following steps:

1. Planning. The first step in the FAI process is to plan the inspection. This includes identifying the products to be inspected, the inspection criteria, and the resources that will be needed.
2. Inspection. The next step is to inspect the products according to the plan. This may involve visual inspection, dimensional inspection, functional testing, or other types of testing.
3. Evaluation. Once the products have been inspected, the results of the inspection must be evaluated. This includes determining whether the products meet all applicable requirements and identifying any nonconformities.
4. Documentation. The results of the FAI must be documented. This includes the inspection plan, the inspection results, and any nonconformities that were identified.

The AS9100 FAI process is an important part of ensuring the quality of products produced in the aerospace industry. By verifying that new or changed processes are capable of producing products that meet all applicable requirements, the FAI process helps to prevent defects and ensure the safety of aerospace products.

Here are some of the benefits of performing an FAI:

• It helps to ensure that new or changed processes are capable of producing products that meet all applicable requirements.
• It helps to identify and prevent defects in products.
• It helps to improve the quality of products.
• It helps to increase customer satisfaction.
• It helps to reduce the risk of product recalls.

If you are a manufacturer of aerospace products, it is important to implement an effective FAI process. By doing so, you can help to ensure the quality of your products and protect the safety of your customers.