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