DFM, tolerances and quality
What is first article inspection and when is it required?
Answer
A first article inspection report, usually shortened to FAIR or FAI, is the documented measurement of the first part produced from a new or changed process, and it is what proves the tool makes the drawing before the run is released. It is also called an initial sample inspection report (ISIR) in automotive PPAP work. A complete report carries three things: the ballooned drawing, the measured value for every ballooned characteristic with its nominal and tolerance, and the pass or fail verdict against that tolerance - plus the material and finish evidence behind it. It is required when a die is new, when a dimension or material changes, when tooling is moved or reworked, or after a long production gap.
Sources
- Deep Draw Prototyping & First Article InspectionA first article inspection report, usually shortened to FAIR or FAI, is the documented measurement of the first part produced from a new or changed process, and it is what proves the tool makes the drawing before the run is released. It is also called an initial sample inspection report (ISIR) in au...
- Deep Draw Prototyping & First Article InspectionStep 3 — First Article Inspection The first parts off the tool are measured against the drawing in full: every dimension reported, with the drawing ballooned so the report can be read alongside it. Material certificates come back from the mill or supplier, hardness is verified on the Rockwell ...
- First Article Inspection Report For A Deep Drawn PartFirst Article Inspection Report For A Deep Drawn Part: What To Check A first article inspection report for a deep drawn part: what it must contain, the lines most often missed, and how to read margins, not pass marks. A first article inspection report is the first document that tells you whether the...
- First Article Inspection Report For A Deep Drawn PartHome › Blog › For Buyers Buyer's Guide · Quality First Article Inspection Report For A Deep Drawn Part: What To Check Published October 14, 2026 · Balford Technical Team A first article inspection report is the first document that tells you whether the supplier understood your drawi...
- Inspection Lab | First Article Inspection & PPAPInspecting the cylindricity of a stainless steel tube 0:42 · filmed at Balford More videos from our plant on YouTube Frequently asked Do you provide a first article inspection report with the parts? Yes. First article inspection is a standard step on a new tool, and the report lists each char...
- Monel 400 Deep Drawing & Machining | BalfordInspection. 2.5D optical measuring projector, instant vision measuring system, digital height gauge, surface roughness tester and Rockwell hardness tester, in our own inspection lab . Salt spray testing is available where corrosion validation is required. Documentation. Material certification and tr...
What an engineer still needs from you
- material and material condition (grade, temper)
- material thickness, plus the key diameter, height and wall thickness
- tolerances, burr direction and the visual acceptance standard
- annual volume - it decides whether tooling is single-hit, progressive or transfer
- surface finish, and any secondary machining, annealing or plating
Need a DFM feasibility assessment for your project?
Send the engineering drawing (STEP or PDF) with the material grade, thickness and annual volume. Balford engineers then check it against the process window - draw ratio, wall thickness, tolerances, blank and tooling route - and come back with what is feasible and what is not. An answer on this page cannot replace that review.
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- What PPAP level is normally submitted and what is included?
- Do you provide IMDS, RoHS and REACH declarations?
This page is an engineering answer, not a quotation and not a dimensional acceptance. It is generated from Balford's published material and held to the verified company fact sheet.