AS9102 First Article Inspections: Ensuring Precision and Compliance in Aerospace Manufacturing
- Andrew S
- Mar 14
- 3 min read
In aerospace and defense manufacturing, quality, precision, and traceability are critical. To ensure that components meet exact specifications before full production, AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAI) are often required. These inspections verify that machining, grinding, and finishing processes are producing parts that conform to engineering drawings and material specifications.
While AB Precision Grinding Co. is not an AS9100-certified facility, we offer First Article Inspections upon request to meet customer-specific requirements for aerospace, defense, and high-precision manufacturing applications.
This article explores what AS9102 First Article Inspections are, their importance in aerospace manufacturing, and how they apply to precision grinding and machining.
What is AS9102 First Article Inspection (FAI)?
AS9102 is an aerospace industry standard for First Article Inspections (FAI) developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). It is designed to verify that a new or revised part meets all design, material, and specification requirements before full production begins.
FAI is typically required for:
New production parts to ensure they meet initial design and performance expectations.
Revised designs that affect form, fit, or function.
Process changes such as new tooling, materials, or machining methods.
Restarting production after an extended period of inactivity.
FAI involves a comprehensive review and inspection of materials, machining steps, grinding accuracy, and final dimensions to confirm parts meet aerospace and defense requirements.
Why AS9102 First Article Inspection Matters in Aerospace Manufacturing
For aerospace, defense, and high-performance applications, every component must meet strict tolerances, quality standards, and material specifications. AS9102 FAIs help eliminate defects early and ensure that parts meet customer expectations.
Key Benefits of AS9102 FAI:
Verifying Compliance with Aerospace Requirements
Ensures that components meet engineering drawings, material certifications, and process specifications.
Confirms machining, grinding, and finishing processes produce repeatable results.
Reducing Scrap and Costly Production Errors
Catching tolerance or material deviations early prevents expensive rework and wasted material.
Eliminates risk of producing large quantities of defective parts.
Enhancing Supply Chain Traceability
Every FAI report includes detailed documentation of material sources, machining processes, and inspection results.
Aerospace and defense contractors require full traceability for compliance with AS9102 and AS9100 standards.
Ensuring Process Stability and Repeatability
Verifies that precision grinding operations consistently meet required tolerances.
Helps identify process improvements before full-scale production.
How AS9102 Applies to Precision Grinding & Machining
For precision grinding companies, AS9102 inspections focus on dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and material integrity.
Dimensional Accuracy – Grinding must maintain tight tolerances (often within ±0.0001").
Surface Finish Verification – Aerospace components often require high-polish finishes or Ra surface roughness specifications.
Material and Process Traceability – Ensuring raw material certification, heat treatment records, and grinding parameters are documented.
The AS9102 FAI Documentation Process
An AS9102-compliant First Article Inspection includes three main forms to document the process:
Part Number Accountability (Form 1)
Identifies the part number, revision level, and supplier information.
Tracks the FAI report number and applicable purchase orders.
Product Accountability (Form 2)
Lists all raw materials, special processes, and manufacturing steps.
Ensures material certifications and machining process data are documented.
Characteristic Accountability (Form 3)
Records dimensional measurements and inspection results.
Documents inspection methods (CMM, micrometers, profilometers, etc.) used for verification.
For customers who require FAI documentation, AB Precision Grinding Co. provides the necessary inspection reports upon request.
How AB Precision Grinding Co. Supports AS9102 FAI Requests
At AB Precision Grinding Co., we provide high-precision grinding services for aerospace, defense, and critical industries. While we are not an AS9100-certified facility, we can perform FAIs upon request to help customers meet their quality and compliance requirements.
Precision Grinding for Aerospace Alloys – We specialize in Blanchard grinding, surface grinding, creep feed grinding, and double-disc grinding for nickel-based superalloys, stainless steel, and tool steels.
Advanced Inspection Capabilities – Our CMMs, optical comparators, and surface profilometers ensure parts meet strict dimensional and surface finish tolerances.
FAI Documentation Upon Request – We provide detailed inspection reports, measurement data, and material traceability records when required by our customers.
ISO 9001-Certified Quality Management – While not AS9100-certified, we follow strict ISO 9001 quality control procedures to ensure high accuracy and repeatability.
Conclusion: AS9102 FAI for Aerospace Grinding & Machining
AS9102 First Article Inspections are a critical step in validating aerospace and defense components before full production. By verifying material quality, machining accuracy, and process repeatability, FAIs help manufacturers meet compliance standards and prevent costly production errors.
At AB Precision Grinding Co., we understand the importance of quality control and precision grinding. While we offer First Article Inspections upon request, these requests must be made during the negotiation process and confirmed prior to the start of production. This ensures that all necessary documentation, inspection steps, and quality verifications are integrated into our workflow from the beginning.
Yorumlar