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First article inspection for a laser rangefinder module

What a first-article inspection record should contain. If a supplier cannot produce one, they are selling samples, not a qualified part — and a defence integrator's quality department will say so.

Identity	Serial number, firmware version and hardware revision recorded against the drawing revision.
Dimensional	Housing dimensions, mounting hole positions and optical window position measured against the drawing.
Mass	Measured mass against the declared value, with the tolerance stated.
Optical axis	Boresight offset of the transmit and receive axes relative to the mechanical datum, in mrad.
Range verification	Measured range against a stated target at a stated distance in stated visibility, with the reference instrument named.
Accuracy	Constant and proportional error measured across at least three distances.
Repetition rate	Achieved rate in continuous mode, and the missed-return rate over a fixed count.
Interface	Every command in the protocol document exercised once, with the replies recorded.
Power	Current draw in idle, single-shot and continuous modes at the specified supply limits.
Environmental	Temperature cycling result, and whether the unit was operated at both extremes.
Sealing	IP test method and result, or an explicit statement that it was not performed.
Safety	Accessible emission measurement at the aperture, with the instrument and standard cited.

What the record is for

A first article is not a sample test; it is the moment both sides agree what "conforming" means. Once signed, later units can be judged against it, and a disagreement about a return becomes a comparison with a document rather than an argument.

Need an FAI record with a quotation? Ask for it in the enquiry and it is quoted as a line item, not as a favour. Email tommy@erdimail.com How buying from us works

Generic guidance. The applicable standard for your programme governs the actual content.