Glossary

First Article Inspection Software

First article inspection software manages digital FAI planning, characteristic capture, evidence, and reporting.

Core Aerospace Operations Execution First Article Inspection (FAI) in Aerospace Manufacturing and Regulated Supply Chains AS9102 / FAI

First article inspection software is software used to plan, execute, document, and review first article inspections in manufacturing. It commonly supports the capture of design characteristics, inspection results, evidence, approvals, and first article inspection reports for a new or changed part, process, or production source.

In aerospace and other quality-sensitive manufacturing environments, this software is often used to support AS9102-style FAI workflows. Typical functions include drawing ballooning, characteristic accountability, measurement data entry, attachment of objective evidence, revision control, workflow routing, and generation of FAI report forms. It may connect with MES, ERP, PLM, QMS, or supplier portals to align part data, revisions, purchase orders, routings, and inspection records.

First article inspection software should not be confused with general inspection software or statistical process control tools. General inspection systems may record routine in-process or final inspections, while FAI software focuses on proving and documenting that the first production article matches the released design and applicable planning requirements. It also does not by itself establish compliance or approval outcomes; those depend on the organization’s procedures, customer requirements, and review process.

Teams should choose full FAI when there is no valid prior baseline for the current part configuration and production method. Partial FAI is appropriate only when an existing FAI remains valid and the team can clearly define which characteristics, operations, materials, tools, or sources were affected by a change.

How should unchanged characteristics be handled in a partial FAI?

In a partial FAI, unchanged characteristics are usually not remeasured if a documented impact assessment shows they were not affected by the change. They should still be traceable to a prior accepted FAI, with clear references, rationale, and customer-specific requirements checked before relying on carry-forward evidence.

When does a production lapse require a full FAI?

A production lapse commonly triggers FAI re-evaluation at the AS9102 or customer-defined threshold, often two years. It does not always require a full FAI; partial FAI may be acceptable if the prior baseline, revision, process, tooling, source, and evidence remain valid.

Who is responsible for completing AS9102 forms?

The organization performing the first article inspection is normally responsible for completing the AS9102 forms. In practice, quality coordinates the package, but engineering, manufacturing, inspection, purchasing, and suppliers may all provide controlled inputs. Final accountability depends on contract flowdown and approved procedures.

Related Glossary

GD&T

GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) is a symbolic system for defining part geometry and allowable variation on engineering drawings and models.

datum

A datum is a theoretically exact point, line, or plane used as a reference for measurement, design, and manufacturing operations.

Ballooned characteristic

A ballooned characteristic is a numbered drawing or specification requirement mapped to inspection evidence.