Automating First Article Inspection

[Link]In any manufacturing process, first article inspection (FAI) plays a crucial role in validating initial assumptions about product design, manufacturability, materials, process design, machine programming and process control. This validation ensures consistency before the production of the product in volume. In the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) world, this process is often more complex because of the number of parties involved.

Typically, the customer dictates product and process, while third-party regulatory requirements may also apply. The customer provides documentation and supporting machine programming, while the EMS provider manages the supply chain based on the approved material list (AML) supplied by the customer. Customer and EMS provider teams collaborate on process development and validation.

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