What does First-Article Inspection validate within a production process?

First-Article Inspection is a critical quality assurance process in production that specifically validates the process capability and the quality of tooling. This inspection occurs after the initial item or 'first article' has been produced using the established production methods and equipment.

The main purpose of this inspection is to ensure that the manufacturing process is set up correctly and can consistently produce products that meet the specified quality standards. During First-Article Inspection, various aspects such as dimensions, tolerances, and material properties are examined to confirm that they fit within the predefined specifications. This ensures that any tooling or machinery used in the production process is functioning correctly and can produce items that meet quality expectations.

This process acts as a safeguard to identify any potential issues early on, allowing for immediate corrective actions if necessary. Hence, validating the process capability and quality of tooling during First-Article Inspection is vital for maintaining high-quality production and reducing the risk of defects in subsequent batches.