FAI Re-accomplishment Following a Lapse in Production
Published .
Applicable Standards
AS9102Related
- AS9100
Topics
- fai
- first-article-inspection
- lapse-in-production
- revalidation
- configuration-management
A supplier received a new purchase order for a part that had not been manufactured for an extended period, specifically more than two years. The supplier possessed a previously approved First Article Inspection Report (FAIR) for this part. A question was raised whether the existing FAI was sufficient or if a new FAI was required due to the production gap.
According to AS9102, a lapse in production for two years or more requires a re-accomplishment of the FAI. This is necessary because undocumented changes to processes, personnel, tooling, or facilities during the downtime can impact the ability to produce a conforming part.
Key Takeaways
- A new FAI was required to re-validate the manufacturing process before production could resume.
- The scope of the new FAI (full or partial) was determined based on a risk assessment of what characteristics could have been affected by the production lapse.
- According to AS9102, a lapse in production for two years or more requires a re-accomplishment of the FAI.
Best Practice
Formally evaluate FAI validity against current standard requirements, especially after a production lapse of two years or more. Document the rationale for performing either a full or partial FAI to ensure the process is still capable of producing conforming articles.
Reflects the recommended position based on community discussion and expert review.
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