Buyer guide
From CNC Prototype to Production: First Article Approval
The first approved part is a baseline, not the end of engineering review. Preserve the definition, inspection evidence and change decisions that make repeat orders comparable.
Before the first article
- Freeze the drawing revision, material and finish requirements
- Identify critical features and the required inspection documents
- Review manufacturability, fixtures and measurement access
- Agree what constitutes an acceptable deviation or concession
Approve the first article
- Compare measured results with the drawing and agreed datums
- Record material and finishing evidence where required
- Resolve nonconformances with an explicit disposition
- Keep the approved report and sample reference linked to the revision
Control repeat production
- Use the approved revision and process assumptions as the baseline
- Review changes before they enter production
- Use sampling and in-process checks appropriate to the risk
- Re-approve after a material, process, supplier or drawing change