Quality & InspectionFree templatePDF, Excel, Word exportDiscrete Manufacturing

First Piece Inspection Template for Setup Approval

First piece inspection stops a run of scrap before it starts. After setup, a tool change or a restart, the first part is checked against the drawing and the operator does not run production until it is approved.

Fill in

Company name

Date and time

Job or work order

Part number

Drawing revision

Operation

Machine or work center

Operator

Reason for first piece

Gages used (IDs)

Overall result

Comments or offsets applied

Live preview

Download:

First Piece Inspection Template

First Piece Inspection Record

Company: Acme Precision Ltd Date and time: 2026-10-20 07:45 Job or work order: WO-118204 Part number / revision: SHF-2207 / B Operation: OP 20 CNC turning Machine: Lathe 04 Operator: S. Okafor

Reason for inspection

New job setup

Characteristics

Char #	Description	Nominal	Tolerance	Actual	Pass / Fail
1
2
3
4
5
6

Setup verification

Check	Yes	No	N/A
Correct drawing revision at the machine
Program and tool list match the routing
Material lot and certificate verified
Gages are in calibration
Surface finish and appearance checked

Gages and result

Gages used: MIC-112, CAL-044, SRT-009 Overall result: Approved to run

Comments: Diameter on feature 3 at upper tolerance. Tool offset reduced by 0.005 mm and second piece measured to confirm.

Release

Operator / Date

Quality inspector / Date

Supervisor / Date

Use this for in-process setup approval of the first part of a run. It is not an AS9102 first article inspection report; use a first article form when a customer or the AS9100 process requires FAI documentation.

Gate production reporting on first piece approval

Optional: we can review how your ERP or MES could require an approved first piece before quantities are reported.

Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.

How to use the template

Enter the job, part, revision, operation and machine in the fields, choose the reason for the first piece and export the document. Then list the characteristics to be checked, with nominal, tolerance and actual values, and mark each pass or fail. Complete the setup verification table before signing. The operator, inspector and supervisor sign when the part is approved. If a characteristic fails, record the correction, such as a tool offset, and measure a second piece before releasing the machine.

Check every characteristic that the setup can influence, not only the one adjusted.
Measure with calibrated gages and list the IDs.
Keep the approved piece at the machine as a reference until the run ends.

When to do a first piece check

Common triggers are a new job setup, a tool change, a program or offset change, a change of material lot, a machine restart after downtime or a shift change. Many plants write these triggers into the control plan. Frequency and characteristics should follow the process risk: a high precision turned part may need first piece plus periodic checks, while a simple stamping may only need first off after die setup.

First piece versus first article

First piece inspection is an internal setup approval for every run. First article inspection under AS9102 is a documented verification of a new part number, a design change or a process change, with ballooned drawings and specified forms. A first piece check is quick and repeated often. An FAI is formal, retained as a customer record and done infrequently. Do not use this template as a substitute when a customer requires an FAI report.

Common mistakes

Frequent problems are checking only the easy dimensions, using the previous job's drawing revision, and letting the operator measure and approve their own first part without an independent check where the control plan requires one. Another is approving the part but not recording the offset changes, so the next shift repeats the same adjustment. Always record corrections and the verification piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should approve a first piece?

Your control plan or quality procedure decides. Often a quality inspector or a trained setup person other than the operator approves, and the supervisor signs to release the machine. Independent verification is important for critical characteristics.

How many characteristics must be checked?

All characteristics that the setup, tool or program can affect, plus any key or critical characteristics on the drawing or control plan. Checking only one dimension misses setup errors elsewhere on the part. The inspection plan should list them for each operation.

What happens if the first piece fails?

Stop, correct the cause, such as an offset or fixture issue, and make another piece. Measure it and approve before running. Record the failed result and the correction so the next setup can learn from it. Quarantine any pieces made before the check.

Is first piece inspection the same as first article inspection?

No. First piece is a routine setup approval for each run. First article inspection, defined in AS9102 for aerospace, is a formal documented check of a new or changed part or process. A first piece check does not satisfy an FAI requirement.

If your MES or ERP creates shop orders and operations, we can discuss how a first piece check could be forced as a gate before production quantity is reported.

Talk to an Expert Explore More Free Tools

Related Tools

Quality & Inspection

More Quality & Inspection tools

See all

Back to All Tools