FAI Requirement After Moving CNC Machine?

[hendxrson]

We are moving some of our equipment around to make room for new equipment coming in later this year. During my latest audit, the auditor asked more than once if we had moved any of our machines around. He emphasized the machine would need a FAI after re-installation. We moved 1 CNC last week and proved out the machine and checked for repeatability. We are waiting on my approval for the machine to start running again. What is required under AS9100 after a machine is moved in the shop?

 

[Big Jim]

Your auditor seems to be making up his own rules.

Two things to pay attention to come to mind.

Element 8.5.1.1 Control of equipment, tools, and software programs deals with validating a machine prior to use but says nothing about moving a machine. It also deals with returning machines to use after storage. I don't think you can hang your hat on that.

Element 8.5.1.3 Production process validation inspection (which is also called First Article Inspection) of a representative sample of the first production run. It also deals with repeating this first article inspection when something changes that would invalidate the original first article. Examples of what constitutes a change that could trigger a repeat of the first article inspection include engineering changes, production process changes, and tooling changes. Moving a machine doesn't fit into that list so I don't think you can hang your hat there either.

It appears that you are already doing what is needed with the machines.

You might ask him where he is getting that from, as you can't find that requirement in the standard.

 

[Mike S.]

The auditor may be adding requirements from AS9102 4.6.f into AS9100, which would be opening a whole new can o' worms. Do any of your customers or internal procedures require AS9102 compliance?

 

[Sidney Vianna]

What is required under AS9100 after a machine is moved in the shop?

The following is from the IAQG SCMH:

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Location of manufacture is unchanged, since this is not a work transfer. As for a man-made event affecting the manufacturing process, as long as you can provide evidence that the machine has not been adversely affected, you are set. You mentioned checking the machine for repeatability. Do you have the evidence to show? It should be good enough.

 

[Jen Kirley]

I don't work to the AS standard, but I can offer that considerations to the standard I work to include the question of whether the equipment will perform properly after it's been moved. This could be the same question if moving 10 feet in the existing site, or 345 miles to a new site. Will your equipment perform satisfactorily after having been moved? How will your QMS note this determination?

 

[Sidney Vianna]

This could be the same question if moving 10 feet in the existing site, or 345 miles to a new site.

A site, 345 miles away, would be deemed a work transfer in the context of AS9100 and would certainly trigger an FAI (or it should). A relocation, 10 feet away from the original location can be inconsequential. As in everything else, it should be a risk-based decision. Some NC machines can be easily moved with a large forklift and no disassembly required. Others might require some significant disassembly and re-assembly which could impact the machine settings.

 

[Jen Kirley]

Agree, Sidney. The OP said

We moved 1 CNC last week and proved out the machine and checked for repeatability.

but did not say how it was proved out. What was already done might serve nicely as revalidation.

In any case, I agree it is based on type of machine being moved, the manner it is moved, and other types of risk that are determined by the organization.

 

[hendxrson]

The auditor may be adding requirements from AS9102 4.6.f into AS9100, which would be opening a whole new can o' worms. Do any of your customers or internal procedures require AS9102 compliance?

We have customer AS9102 requirements but nowhere does it state anything about a machine being moved. The auditor made it clear this fell under 9100 but did not state where in the standard.

 

[hendxrson]

The following is from the IAQG SCMH: Do you have the evidence to show? It should be good enough.

I have a report from a service we hired to conduct a ball bar test. As far as electrical, coolant pumps, ATC maintenance, etc. , we followed the OEM checklist and signed off.

 

[hendxrson]

Agree, Sidney. The OP said but did not say how it was proved out. What was already done might serve nicely as revalidation.

HAAS VF-5 3 Axis CNC Machine. We moved it with our large forklift approximately 25 feet. We hired a certified outside service to conduct a ball bar test.