PCBA First Article Inspection Report Template
A PCBA first article inspection proves that the line was set up correctly before you build the lot: the right BOM revision on the right feeders, a verified paste print, a verified reflow profile, and a board that meets the acceptance class. This template gives you the record in a clean, printable format.
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PCBA First Article Inspection Report Template
First Article Inspection Report: PCBA-20418-C
Company: Lakeshore Electronics Assembly Customer: Northgate Controls Assembly: PCBA-20418-C Rev C Work order: WO-118204 Lot quantity: 250 SMT line: Line 2 Date: 2026-10-20 Acceptance standard: IPC-A-610 Class 2
Process setup record
Stencil: STN-20418-B, 0.120 mm Solder paste: SAC305 Type 4, lot P2610-17 Reflow profile: RFL-SAC305-Rev3
Setup verification
| Check | Method | Result | Initials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correct PCB revision and date code | Compare to traveler | ||
| Feeder loading matches approved BOM and AVL | Scan feeder to program | ||
| Placement program revision correct | Compare to released file | ||
| Paste print volume and registration (SPI) | SPI report | ||
| Reflow profile verified with thermocouple run | Profile plot attached | ||
| MSD floor life within limits | Check MSD log |
Board inspection
| Item | Requirement | Actual / observation | Pass / fail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Component presence and value | Per BOM and assembly drawing | ||
| Polarity and orientation | Per assembly drawing | ||
| Placement offset and rotation | Per selected class | ||
| Solder joint wetting and fillet | Per selected class | ||
| Bridging, tombstones, voids | None, or within criteria | ||
| BGA / QFN joints (X-ray) | Per customer criteria | ||
| Through-hole fill and lead protrusion | Per selected class | ||
| Cleanliness and flux residue | Per customer spec | ||
| Marking, labels and serialization | Per drawing |
Findings and corrective action
C14 polarity mark verified against assembly drawing. Slight paste offset at U3 corrected after stencil realignment. Second board re-inspected clean.
Disposition
Overall result: Approved for production
Approvals
A first article report is a record of verification at setup, not a replacement for your customer's required form. If the customer mandates AS9102, IPC-1782 traceability or a specific format, use that and treat this as the internal worksheet. Attach SPI, AOI and profile data to the report.
Automate first article records from your ERP
Optional: we can pre-fill BOM, work order and traceability data from your ERP or MES.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use the template
Fill in the header fields from the work order, stencil, paste and profile records, then export the document and complete the check tables by hand or in Word. Build one or two boards after changeover, inspect them against the drawing and the selected class, and only release the lot when every row passes. Keep the signed report with the traveler so it is retrievable during a customer audit or a field failure investigation.
- Run the first article after every changeover, stencil change or program revision.
- Inspect at least one board fully, including the bottom side.
- Attach SPI, AOI, X-ray and reflow profile output.
- Record the operator and equipment IDs for traceability.
What the checks are based on
Workmanship criteria come from IPC-A-610 (acceptability of electronic assemblies) and J-STD-001 (soldering requirements). Class 2 covers dedicated service electronics where continued performance is required; Class 3 covers high reliability products where downtime is not tolerated, such as aerospace, defense and medical life support. The class is set by the customer drawing or contract, not by the EMS. For area array parts, X-ray criteria usually come from the customer or from IPC-7095 guidance on BGA design and assembly.
Worked example
A 250 piece lot of PCBA-20418 Rev C is released after a stencil change. The engineer scans each feeder against the program, runs a profile board through the reflow oven, and builds two boards. On the first board, paste offset at a fine pitch QFP is visible in the SPI report. The stencil is realigned, the second board prints clean, and the engineer records both findings and the action in the findings block. The disposition is approved for production, and the report is filed with work order WO-118204.
Common mistakes
The most common failure is treating first article as a visual-only check. Wrong value components pass the eye test, so verify values with an LCR meter or an automated program check. Another mistake is keeping the report separate from the traveler, which makes it impossible to prove which setup built which serial numbers. Finally, do not reuse a prior report after an ECO or a BOM alternate change; any change to materials, program or process parameters needs a fresh verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is first article inspection required for every PCBA job?
It depends on your quality system and contract. Most EMS providers perform first piece verification at every setup as standard practice. Aerospace and defense customers often require a formal report, and some require AS9102 format for the final assembly. Check your purchase order and quality agreement.
How many boards should be inspected for a first article?
Often one to three boards after the line is stable. One board is the minimum for proving the setup; a second board confirms repeatability after any correction. Your customer or internal procedure can require more for complex assemblies with area array parts.
Can I use this instead of an AS9102 form?
Only when the customer allows it. AS9102 has defined forms for part number accountability, product accountability and characteristic accountability. This template is a PCBA setup and inspection record that can support that work but does not replace the required form.
What should be attached to the report?
At minimum the SPI result, AOI result, reflow profile plot, the signed traveler and any X-ray images for BGA or QFN parts. Photos of the top and bottom sides help during later audits and customer returns.
If your first article data lives in an ERP or MES, we can pull the BOM, work order and traceability fields into this report automatically, on your own servers.
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