What is 'first article inspection'?

• A. Verifying a part to ensure it meets all specifications before full production.
• B. A routine in-process check during production.
• C. A final assurance after production.
• D. A vendor qualification procedure.

Answer: (B)

First article inspection is the formal check that verifies the first part produced under the actual production process meets all design and engineering requirements before the rest of production proceeds. It uses the real manufacturing setup and conditions to confirm that the part, drawings, tolerances, materials, and processes are being interpreted and executed correctly. This initial validation helps catch any design interpretation or process problems early, so you don’t lock in a mass production run that will produce nonconforming parts.

It’s not just an ongoing check during production, which would be a routine in-process inspection, nor is it a final acceptance after production or a vendor qualification activity. The goal is to authorize the start of full production by confirming the process can consistently produce conforming parts.