First Article

By Dhesan Bhana, Mr

A practical floor note on signing off the first sample so production does not drift off spec.

The first part off the machine tells you whether the drawing, setup and tooling are speaking the same language. First Article is our note on checking that sample properly before the run gathers pace.

First Article only matters if the sample is measured against the drawing before routine takes over. On cutting cells, that means checking size, edge condition, tool marks and part orientation while the machine settings are still fresh in the operator's hands.

First-piece sign-off points

• Drawing revision and issue date matched
• Sample edge photographed beside a rule
• Program name and nest reference recorded
• Operator, setter and inspector identified

Read the related product and solution pages after this note. The journal covers the first-piece inspection method, while the catalogue pages identify the cutter, fixture or consumable used on the machine. Used together, they help the drawing, setup sheet and signed sample match the run.

Before the batch gathers pace

The First Article page explains how to sign off the first sample before full production starts. If the first piece is checked properly against spec, the rest of the run is less likely to wander off target.

Begin with the actual stock on the table, not the assumption on the quote. Sheet thickness can vary, protective film gets left on, and grain direction or face quality may matter more than cycle time on the first sample. In South African workshops, dust, humidity and power interruptions can all influence what a clean first cut looks like.

Keep the approved sample separate from production parts and mark it clearly. A dated first-piece record near the cell helps when a second shift resumes after a stop, or when a fresh tool is fitted halfway through the order. That reference is often more useful than memory when dimensions start to drift.

Shop conditions that affect approval

A first sample cut in Jet Park is not judged in exactly the same conditions as one cut near Durban harbour. Moisture on stored sheet, abrasive dust on guides and inconsistent power can all show up in edge finish or repeatability. Those conditions should be written into the note instead of being treated as background noise.

Near the coast, airborne salt and fine grit can shorten cleaning intervals on guides, clamps and exposed tooling. On inland sites, dry dust builds differently around sensors and stops, so first-piece checks should include datum repeatability after wipe-downs. During power interruptions, rechecking the first sample after restart is often wiser than assuming the setup held position.

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