CNC Machining & Injection Molding — DFM/Moldflow Support, CMM Inspection, Prototype to Production Solutions.
Swiss CNC First Article Inspection
A Swiss CNC FAI package should link the active drawing revision to every ballooned requirement and recorded result. Typical evidence includes dimensional and CTQ results, material and secondary-process records, part and lot traceability, and approval status. Final scope should follow the purchase order and customer format.
FAI confirms first-article conformity; it does not prove long-term process capability.
Confidential customer templates can be reviewed before quotation.
Approval Objective
The package should answer three approval questions before production release. Every conclusion must trace to the submitted sample and active drawing revision.
Show that the submitted sample meets the released drawing, notes, material specification and defined final condition.
Report actual CTQ results with methods suited to the feature, datum, tolerance and functional risk.
Link part number, revision, sample ID, material lot, external processes and inspection report without identity gaps.
Package Content Map
A reviewable package identifies the submitted sample, active revision, inspected characteristics and evidence source. Use this checklist as a baseline; customer forms, purchase orders or regulated programs may require additional records.
| Package Item | Must Identify | Evidence | Main Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part identification | Part number, revision and sample ID | Cover or approval sheet | Mixed or wrong samples |
| Ballooned drawing | Numbered dimensions, notes and CTQs | Controlled drawing copy | Missing characteristics |
| Dimensional results | Nominal, limits, actual result and status | Layout or CMM report | Pass-only records |
| Material evidence | Grade, specification and material lot | Material certificate or MTR | Unlinked certificate |
| Secondary processes | Heat treatment, plating or coating | Process certificate or test report | Wrong acceptance stage |
| Functional records | Threads, roughness, leak or fit | Gauge or test record | Method not defined |
| Traceability | Part, lot, process and report ID | Lot record and sample label | Broken evidence chain |
| Approval status | Acceptance, rejection or disposition | Signed approval record | Open deviations |
Requirement Accountability
Ballooning creates the audit trail from the released design to the inspection record. Number every applicable requirement—not only dimensions that are easy to measure.
Confirm drawing number, revision, applicable change order and matching 3D model before assigning balloons.
Number dimensions, GD&T controls, notes, threads, material, finish and surface-roughness requirements.
Map each balloon to nominal, limits, actual result, inspection method and acceptance status.
Identify CTQs separately so reviewers can see functional risk and available tolerance margin.
Feature-Level FAI Evidence
Small diameters, slender geometry and compact features make one inspection method unreliable. Match each CTQ to the drawing datum, inspection condition and a capable method.
| Swiss Feature | Approval Risk | Suggested Method | FAI Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Controlled OD | Size drift and tool wear | Micrometer, laser or comparative gauge | Actual diameter result |
| Runout | Datum and support mismatch | Indicator fixture or CMM | TIR result and datum |
| Shoulder length | Axial datum error | Optical comparator or CMM | Actual length result |
| Cross-hole position | Indexing and breakthrough | Vision system, CMM or pin method | Position result |
| Small bore | Access and wall deformation | Plug, air, vision or CMM | Actual or functional result |
| Threads | Fit and plating allowance | Go/No-Go or functional gauge | Gauge status |
| Surface finish | Sealing or bearing performance | Profilometer | Recorded Ra value |
Supporting Records
Supporting records should show that the inspected samples use the specified material and have reached the drawing-defined final condition. Include evidence required by the drawing, purchase order or approved FAI scope.
Link grade, specification and material lot to submitted samples using an MTR or material certificate.
Record the treatment, resulting condition and required hardness or test evidence.
Identify finish and thickness, and whether dimensions are accepted before or after treatment.
Add RoHS, REACH, CoC or customer-defined evidence only when required.
Traceability Chain
Every result should trace to one identified sample and approved design baseline. Gaps among revisions, lots, samples and reports weaken the approval record.
Record part number, drawing revision and applicable change-order status.
Identify submitted quantity and every sample used for reported results.
Link material heat, machining batch and external-process lot as required.
Record report number, date, method and measured sample ID.
Record acceptance, rejection, deviation reference and final approval status.
Approval Record Types
Each record answers a different approval question. A dimensional report is not a complete FAI unless the required evidence and traceability are included.
| Record | Primary Purpose | Typical Scope | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAI | Verify the approved design baseline. | Ballooned drawing, actual results, material and process evidence, traceability. | Initial or changed production approval. |
| First-Off Inspection | Confirm setup before the batch continues. | Selected dimensions, appearance and setup-dependent features. | Startup or in-process release. |
| CMM Report | Document output from one dimensional inspection method. | Measured dimensions and geometric characteristics only. | Complex geometry or specified CTQs. |
| PPAP | Approve the broader production system. | Customer-defined product, process and quality evidence. | Automotive or formal production approval. |
Repeat-FAI Decision
Repeat scope should follow the change and its risk. Record the trigger, affected requirements and customer approval basis before resubmission.
Pre-Release Check
Most delays come from incomplete links between requirements, evidence and approval status—not from the inspection results alone.
Fix: match each report and certificate to the submitted drawing revision.
Fix: give each requirement one unique balloon and result reference.
Fix: report actual measurements unless the approved format permits attributes.
Fix: connect samples to material, machining and external process lots.
Fix: include required material, heat treatment, plating and compliance records.
Fix: identify deviations, disposition authority and final approval status.
FAI Questions
Confirm the required format, sample plan and approval route before production begins.
No. FAI verifies design requirements on identified representative parts and compiles supporting evidence. 100% inspection checks specified characteristics on every production part.
Unless the approved scope states otherwise, each applicable dimension, note, material callout and special process needs a result or evidence reference.
No universal quantity applies. Follow the customer requirement and identify representative samples produced with the intended material, tooling and process route.
Use a capable, feature-appropriate method. Before replacing a customer-mandated method, obtain approval and record the equipment, datum, fixture and relevant conditions.
No. Approval establishes a design and process baseline, not a permanent guarantee. Future lots still require controls, inspection and traceability; qualifying changes may trigger repeat FAI.
Drawing-Based FAI Review
Send the controlled drawing, CAD, material, quantity, CTQs and required submission format. Our engineers will review machining, inspection, traceability and approval scope before quotation or production.
Confidential files accepted for engineering review.