First Article Inspection Before Series Release
Series production should never start on an unverified part. Before we schedule recurring batches, the first article is fully inspected and documented — giving you an approved reference and us a confirmed process.
Why equipment manufacturers choose us
Verified before volume
Every critical dimension on the first article is measured and reported before any series is scheduled.
An approval reference for you
The first-article report becomes the shared reference between your quality team and ours.
Process confirmation for us
FAI proves the setup, tooling and parameters produce the drawing — before we repeat them 500 times.
First Article Inspection
Real capability windows — verified in-house, not estimated.
| Capability | Specification |
|---|---|
| When | Before series release, after prototype approval |
| Scope | Full dimensional layout of critical features on the Zeiss CMM |
| Documentation | First-article inspection report, tied to drawing revision |
| Material evidence | EN 10204 3.1 certificates · spectrometer verification |
| Next step | Recurring production scheduled after approval |
| Quality system | ISO 9001:2015 (GICG) |
| Related | CMM inspection · material verification · traceability |
Materials we machine
What the first article confirms
The seven things a first article has to settle before a series is scheduled.
- The drawing revision matches. We inspect the revision you released, and the report names that revision. Nothing is measured against a superseded drawing.
- Critical dimensions are measured, not sampled. Geometry and position on the Zeiss SPECTRUM CMM, heights and steps on the TRIMOS V5 digital height gauge, fine features on the AI-Vision system.
- Material is verified against the specified grade. The chemistry of the stock is confirmed by spark-OES spectrometer against the EN/DIN number — not taken from the certificate alone.
- Position features are tied to your datums. Location, orientation and concentricity are reported against the datum scheme on the drawing.
- Surface finish is checked against the drawing. The specified Ra value and finish are confirmed on the finished feature and the measured result recorded.
- Evidence travels with the parts. The first-article report, the EN 10204 3.1 certificate and the batch identification are issued together.
- Approval is the gate. Recurring production is scheduled only after you approve the first article against that report.
From Drawing to Delivered Part
A transparent, engineering-led process built for long-term supply programs — not one-off transactions.
Submit & Review
Send drawings and program context. Our engineers run a DFM review and flag tolerances, materials and risk before any cutting begins.
Quote & Material Plan
You receive a transparent quote plus a material-verification plan — grade, EN/DIN check and certificate strategy for your application.
Machine & Inspect
In-house precision machining, then Zeiss CMM dimensional inspection and spectrometer material verification on critical batches.
Deliver & Support
Kitted, ESD-safe or ISO Class 7 cleanroom packaging, with local engineering and after-sales support through our German partner.
Frequently asked questions
Request a Quote
Tell us about your program. The fields below help our engineering team prioritize recurring, long-term supply programs with equipment manufacturers.
What happens after you send your files
- Within 1 business day an engineer — not a salesperson — reviews your drawings and replies.
- DFM review: tolerances, material and risk flags, before any cutting begins.
- Your quote includes a material-verification plan: grade, EN/DIN check, certificate strategy.
Critical features are verified in house · material chemistry confirmed by spectrometer · EN 10204 3.1 certificates available.
Prefer email? Write to us directly at info@prototech-machining.com
Our form captures production type, annual quantity and project status up front — so we can focus engineering resources on long-term supply relationships, not one-off inquiries.
Talk to our team about special materials, tolerances or a failed-supplier recovery before you send drawings.