Perfecting The Manufacturing Process

If you produce printed circuit boards, the first article inspection is important. Quality is essential where printed circuit boards are concerned. That's why first article inspections are so important. If you're not sure that you need an inspection, read the list provided below. You'll find five important reasons to schedule a first article inspection. 

You've Completed a First Production Run

When it comes to producing printed circuit boards, you need to track that first run. That's where the first article inspection comes into the picture. First article inspections allow you to identify potential problems with the production process. That way, you can make changes before you begin mass production of the printed circuit boards. This also gives you a starting point for all future production cycles. 

You've Changed the Production Process

If you've made changes to the production process, you'll need a new first article inspection. Failing to conduct another inspection could create serious problems with the production of your printed circuit boards. Not sure what type of production changes need a new first article inspection? If you've made changes to the production process, tools used, or location of the production, you'll need a new inspection. 

You've Made Some Design Changes

If there have been changes to the design of your printed circuit boards, now's the time to schedule a first article inspection. Any type of design change can affect your printed circuit boards. That's why a first article inspection is crucial to the process. The first article inspection will identify any flaws associated with the new design. You'll need to conduct a new first article inspection every time you change design features on your circuit boards. 

You're Using Different Materials

If you've started using different materials for your printed circuit boards, don't forget to conduct a new first article inspection. Different materials can affect the quality of your circuit boards. But, you'll also need to schedule a new first article inspection when you change suppliers for the materials you use. This is important even if you're still using the same types of materials. 

You're Several Years Into the First Run

If you've been using the same process for several years, you might not think you need another first article inspection. That's not the case though. A new first article inspection will ensure that the process is still producing quality circuit boards. It will also identify potential defects that need to get addressed.