First Piece vs. First Article - QC Inspection Terminology

K

ktlasers

#11
My answer is similar to Dean's. I have heard these definitions many times from different sources: first piece is the first piece of a run lot of a process and first article is the first complete piece (all processes completed). Since we are a specialty shop and typically do only one process to a part, we tend to use FA for everything because the part is complete to us (although, truthfully, it drives me nuts because it's not correct!).

Just a note: All of our documentation (procedures, forms, etc.) says "First Article" and nobody has ever called us on it.
 
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Helmut Jilling

Auditor / Consultant
#12
We have a system that uses both as seperate entities because really, they are. Here's how we use them...and I think I'm safe saying it's generally accepted this way.

First piece inspections are performed at the outset of every seperate process to ensure that the press, machine, jig, whatever is setup to provide consistant and repeatable output. i.e.: "now that I'm set up to run the job, am I comfortable enough to sign my name to it knowing the set up will not degrade over time?" The inspections you perform to validate this are the First Piece Inspections.

First Article Inspection is derived from the automotive industry (at least to the extent of my knowledge) and used in, but not limited to, PPAP. Also known as a FAIR form, the First Article Inspection Report is used once the first production run is complete to verify that what you have made is indeed what you planned on. It usually also includes basic dimensional analysis to verify the tooling is not degrading or shifting.

I personally find FAIRs to be pointless since your verifying if its right after its made as opposed to during. :2cents: If you want a Ford mass assembly line then use FAIRs...if you want a Lean, preventive-based system, you shouldn't need them unless mandated by a customer.
In my ten years of auditing, the term seems to be used interchangeably. There may be subtle differences in certain, unique industries, but it is essentially the same thing. It is not limited to PPAP. Never heard it referred to that way. PPAP part validation would be called PPAP Validation...aka Part Layout.
 
W

watertoo

#13
Hello.
Good day. I am Maria currently doing Mid Inspection set-up in our production.

Does this mean that it is more correct to use the "First Piece Inspection" rather than "First Article Inspection.

Also, does "First piece inspection" mean 1 pc or we could set quantity?

Please advice.

Thanks!
 

Helmut Jilling

Auditor / Consultant
#14
Hello.
Good day. I am Maria currently doing Mid Inspection set-up in our production.

Does this mean that it is more correct to use the "First Piece Inspection" rather than "First Article Inspection.

Also, does "First piece inspection" mean 1 pc or we could set quantity?

Please advice.

Thanks!
You may callit whatever term you would like. In the USA, we usually say "First Piece," but people say "First Article" also. maybe there is a difference, but I hear it used the same way a lot.

Yes, in APQP, they should choose what quantity is best. More than 1 sample is OK.
 
W

WKHANNA

#15
Welcome to the Cove!

FWIW, I call it whatever the 'customer' wants me to call it (as when submitting FAI's & PPAP's).

In our facility, the terms are often used interchangeably by operators, supervisors, engineers & management.

There is enough confusion as it is with everything else people are dealing with on a dally basis, so I never correct or train personnel to distinguish between the terms. So long as everyone realizes it represents the first part/s or group of parts produced to verify set-up, re-start of production after a period of idle time, tool change or other modification to production process, they can call it anything they wish.
 
W

watertoo

#16
Dear All,

Magandang hapon! (Good afternoon in english)

Thank you for your immediate response.
I really appreciate it.

Best Regards,
Maria
 

Wes Bucey

Quite Involved in Discussions
#17
A first article inspection is the first part(s) of a new part you check every dimension (you also number the dimensions on the print to corelate to the 1st article report). Every thing on the print is verified. A first piece inspection is the first part off of a new set-up of a part that has already been run (and had a first article done on it). They are different inspections, a first piece insp. you don't check every dim. you check only critical dimensions and verify that all features are present. A first piece insp., in process insp., coil change insp., and final insp. are used during a production run of parts that already have had a 1st Article Inspection.
This is more akin to my experience of the distinction between first piece and First Article (note the capitalization. First Article, especially in aerospace is the combination of completely finished sample and inspection sheet, listing every dimension as a characteristic, not an attribute. Even colors were matched to a Pantone chart. The first piece, on the other hand, usually only checked critical characteristics and those characteristics indicative the process was working to confirm the setup. The first piece inspection was performed each time the machine was set up for a production run and might be for just the portion of the production process involving one particular machine. This means, for example, a process requiring three separate steps or machines would have three first piece inspections, but only one First Article inspection. Think of a simple shaft, turned and cut to length on a lathe, polished to a very smooth finish on a centerless grinder, and then electroless nickel plated - three first piece inspections, one First Article of the finished plated piece.
 
S

ssz102

#18
first article is the first product produced on trial stage or prototype stage
fist piece is the first product before productoion per shift/day/various products
 
W

watertoo

#19
Meaning to say it is appropriate to use the "First Piece Check"?

Currently this is our definition:
First Article Inspection - method of checking the conformance of first article sample produced in the start and/or any modification made to the production setup before proceeding to mass production of items.
 
S

silentrunning

#20
In our company we check a first piece at each operation - blank, bend, tap, etc. After all operations are completed we do a First Article of the completed part. This is documented to the customer's print and purchase order using AS9102 methodology. We perform our Final Inspection after all special processes are complete. This method has served us well for many years.
 
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