Aerospace, automotive, medical and all other industries require FAI — first article inspection, the systematic inspection of new parts to ensure they’ll perform as designed. This includes parts that are subject to heat treatment, which adheres to its own process-specific set of FAI requirements.  This week’s Technical Tuesday feature provides an examination of the exhaustive FAI documentation process for heat treatment of aerospace parts and why it’s so critical.

“Heat treatment almost always distorts parts—it’s the price that comes with enhancing mechanical properties. First article inspections help heat treaters and customers determine whether specified processes will result in acceptable amounts of distortion or if design, material, manufacturing and processing specs need to change.” ~ Paulo