home / skills / a5c-ai / babysitter / fai-inspection

This skill helps plan and execute first article inspections per AS9102, enabling compliant FAI planning, ballooning, measurement, and reporting.

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SKILL.md
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---
name: fai-inspection
description: Skill for first article inspection planning and execution per AS9102
allowed-tools:
  - Read
  - Write
  - Glob
  - Grep
  - Bash
metadata:
  specialization: mechanical-engineering
  domain: science
  category: testing-validation
  priority: high
  phase: 4
  tools-libraries:
    - CMM software
    - QMS systems
    - AS9102 templates
---

# First Article Inspection Skill

## Purpose

The First Article Inspection skill provides capabilities for planning and executing first article inspections per AS9102, enabling comprehensive verification of manufacturing processes and design conformance.

## Capabilities

- FAI plan development per AS9102
- Balloon drawing preparation
- Measurement method specification
- CMM programming guidance
- Characteristic accountability matrix
- Partial FAI and delta FAI management
- FAI report generation (Forms 1, 2, 3)
- Non-conformance disposition

## Usage Guidelines

### AS9102 Requirements

#### FAI Triggers

```
Full FAI required when:
- New part number
- Design change affecting form/fit/function
- Change in manufacturing process/location
- Tooling inactive > 2 years
- Manufacturing process change
- Natural/human-made event affecting process
```

#### Partial FAI (Delta FAI)

```
Allowed when:
- Minor design change
- Controlled process change
- Tooling modification

Only affected characteristics need re-inspection
```

### FAI Planning

#### Characteristic Identification

1. **Drawing Review**
   - Identify all dimensions
   - Identify all notes
   - Identify material/process requirements
   - Identify special characteristics

2. **Characteristic Types**
   | Type | Symbol | Definition |
   |------|--------|------------|
   | Standard | None | Normal inspection |
   | Critical | Triangle/diamond | Safety/function critical |
   | Major | M in circle | Important for assembly |
   | CTQ | Key symbol | Customer specified |

#### Balloon Drawing

```
Ballooning requirements:
- Unique number for each characteristic
- Sequential numbering preferred
- Reference to original dimension
- Include notes and specifications
- Mark special characteristics
```

### AS9102 Forms

#### Form 1: Part Number Accountability

```
Required fields:
- Part number and name
- Part revision level
- Drawing number and revision
- Organization name and code
- FAI report number
- Signature and date
- Part serial number
- FAI reason (new/change)
```

#### Form 2: Product Accountability - Materials, Processes, Functional Testing

```
Material verification:
- Material specification
- Raw material supplier
- Material certifications
- Heat/lot traceability

Process verification:
- Special processes (heat treat, plating, NDT)
- Process specification
- Processor certification
- Process parameters

Functional testing:
- Test requirements
- Test results
- Pass/fail status
```

#### Form 3: Characteristic Accountability

```
For each characteristic:
- Characteristic number (balloon)
- Reference location (drawing zone)
- Characteristic designator (if special)
- Requirement (nominal and tolerance)
- Results (actual value)
- Designed tooling (Y/N)
- Non-conformance number (if applicable)
```

### Measurement Methods

#### Measurement Selection

| Tolerance | Accuracy Required | Typical Method |
|-----------|------------------|----------------|
| +/- 0.5 mm | 0.05 mm | Caliper |
| +/- 0.1 mm | 0.01 mm | Micrometer |
| +/- 0.025 mm | 0.002 mm | CMM |
| +/- 0.005 mm | 0.0005 mm | Precision CMM |

#### GD&T Measurement

| Characteristic | Measurement Method |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Flatness | CMM scan, optical flat |
| Perpendicularity | CMM, square fixture |
| Position | CMM, functional gage |
| Concentricity | CMM, roundness tester |
| Runout | V-blocks + indicator |
| Profile | CMM, optical comparator |

#### CMM Programming

```
CMM measurement strategy:
1. Establish datum reference frame
2. Measure datum features first
3. Measure located features
4. Use appropriate probe compensation
5. Verify measurement uncertainty
6. Document probe configuration
```

### Non-Conformance Handling

#### Disposition Options

| Disposition | Application | Authority |
|-------------|-------------|-----------|
| Use As-Is | Minor deviation, no impact | Engineering |
| Rework | Can be brought to spec | Quality |
| Repair | Alternate method to restore | Engineering |
| Scrap | Cannot be made conforming | Quality |
| Return to Supplier | Vendor issue | Purchasing |

#### Documentation Requirements

```
Non-conformance record:
- NC number
- Characteristic affected
- Requirement
- Actual condition
- Root cause analysis
- Corrective action
- Disposition and approval
```

### FAI Approval Process

```
Approval workflow:
1. Inspector completes inspection
2. Quality review forms
3. Engineering review (if NC exists)
4. Quality approval signature
5. Customer approval (if required)
6. Archive and distribution
```

## Process Integration

- ME-023: First Article Inspection (FAI)

## Input Schema

```json
{
  "part_info": {
    "part_number": "string",
    "revision": "string",
    "description": "string",
    "drawing_number": "string"
  },
  "fai_type": "full|partial|delta",
  "trigger": "new_part|design_change|process_change|other",
  "previous_fai": "string (if partial/delta)",
  "special_requirements": {
    "customer_approval": "boolean",
    "special_processes": "array"
  }
}
```

## Output Schema

```json
{
  "fai_plan": {
    "fai_number": "string",
    "balloon_drawing": "file reference",
    "characteristic_count": "number",
    "measurement_methods": "array"
  },
  "fai_forms": {
    "form_1": "document reference",
    "form_2": "document reference",
    "form_3": "document reference"
  },
  "results_summary": {
    "total_characteristics": "number",
    "conforming": "number",
    "non_conforming": "number",
    "nc_numbers": "array"
  },
  "approval_status": {
    "status": "approved|conditional|rejected",
    "conditions": "array (if conditional)",
    "approved_by": "string",
    "date": "date"
  }
}
```

## Best Practices

1. Review drawing completely before ballooning
2. Ensure measurement method capability
3. Document traceability to raw material
4. Obtain certifications for special processes
5. Address all non-conformances before approval
6. Maintain FAI records per retention requirements

## Integration Points

- Connects with GD&T Drawing for requirements
- Feeds into Design Review for verification evidence
- Supports Process Planning for capability verification
- Integrates with Quality systems for record keeping

Overview

This skill provides planning and execution support for First Article Inspections (FAI) per AS9102. It helps generate FAI plans, balloon drawings, measurement methods, CMM programming guidance, and AS9102 Forms 1–3. The skill also manages partial/delta FAIs, non-conformance disposition, and approval tracking.

How this skill works

The skill ingests part and drawing metadata, FAI trigger information, and special requirements to produce a complete FAI plan and required forms. It identifies and balloons characteristics, assigns measurement methods based on tolerance and GD&T, and generates Form 1, Form 2, and Form 3 outputs. It captures inspection results, flags non-conformances with disposition options, and produces an approval-ready summary with traceable evidence.

When to use it

  • When a new part number is introduced and a full FAI is required
  • After design changes affecting fit, form, or function
  • When manufacturing processes, tooling, or location change
  • For partial or delta FAI when limited characteristics are affected
  • To prepare CMM programs and measurement strategies for production validation

Best practices

  • Perform a complete drawing review before ballooning and identify special characteristics
  • Match measurement methods to tolerance and GD&T requirements to ensure capability
  • Document material and process traceability, including supplier certifications
  • Record non-conformances with root cause and approved disposition before final approval
  • Archive FAI records and approvals according to retention and customer requirements

Example use cases

  • Create a full AS9102 FAI package for a newly released aerospace part
  • Generate a delta FAI when a minor tooling modification affects a subset of characteristics
  • Produce CMM measurement strategy and probe configuration for complex GD&T features
  • Compile Forms 1–3 and results summary for customer approval or quality audit
  • Track non-conformance disposition and re-inspection after rework or repair

FAQ

When is a partial (delta) FAI acceptable?

Use a delta FAI for controlled minor design or tooling changes where only affected characteristics require re-inspection.

Which measurement method should I select for tight tolerances?

Select a CMM or precision CMM for tolerances in the 0.025 mm to 0.005 mm range and use calibrated probes with documented uncertainty.

What dispositions are typical for non-conformances?

Common dispositions include Use As-Is, Rework, Repair, Scrap, or Return to Supplier, with authority assigned to engineering, quality, or purchasing as appropriate.