A first article proves the process once. A first piece proves each setup, every time. E12 runs nineteen setup checks before the piece is made (documents, material, program, tooling and fixture, gauges, machine, work area, people), then measures every characteristic the operation produces, with values for key characteristics and a warning when a passing value sits near a limit. Its Decision tab suggests Release, Release after adjusting toward nominal, Not complete, or Do not release; the inspector decides and signs the traveler.
| Event | What the first piece covers |
|---|---|
| Every new or repeat setup | Every characteristic the operation produces |
| A program edit | Characteristics cut by the edited blocks, and anything located from them |
| A tool or insert change on a key feature | The key characteristics that tool produces |
| After a repair, crash or alarm | Everything the affected axes or spindle produce |
| Shift start on a running job | Key characteristics, where the control plan asks for it |
| The first part of the first production run | This is a first article, not only a first piece: plan it with D07 |
The First-piece log records every setup across the shop: the reason, the attempts it took, the pieces rejected and their NCR, and who set up and who inspected. Read monthly by machine and by part, the first-time release rate points straight at the setup sheets, fixtures and programs that need work.
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A management aid, not certification or a registrar audit. Using it does not by itself show conformity to AS9100D or any other standard, and your customers' requirements may add to it.
Clause numbers refer to AS9100D (SAE AS9100 Rev D) unless another document is named. The standards' text is not reproduced here: use your own licensed copy.
Aegis Insights are our own guidance, labeled wherever they appear: how we approach this work, not a requirement of any standard or customer.