We inspect your first article and produce the report to your customer's requirements — as an FAI or German EMPB, with numbered characteristics and the corresponding inspection sketch.
FAI and EMPBNumbered characteristicsQualified measuring room
Your customer requires a report in their form — your metrology delivers a different format.
Every characteristic must be numbered and traceable to the drawing. Done by hand, that takes a day.
Your own measuring room is occupied with production — the first article waits.
For disputed characteristics there is no independent party your customer accepts.
Scope
What you receive
Inspection plan
All characteristics from the drawing and specification captured, numbered and linked to the inspection sketch.
Measurement
In the temperature-controlled measuring room at reference temperature in accordance with ISO 1 — tactile, optical or combined in the same inspection plan.
Report
In your customer's form or in our format: actual values, tolerance, evaluation per characteristic.
Inspection sketch
Numbered, so every result can be found in the drawing.
Queries
We raise ambiguous specifications before we interpret them.
Billing
Effort-based, with a quote before the order.
Outcome
What you get out of it
Approval without waiting
Your first article does not wait until your own measuring room becomes free.
A report your customer accepts
Numbering, inspection sketch and evaluation arrive in the form your customer requires.
Queries anticipated
Ambiguous statements in the drawing are clarified before the measurement.
Do you produce the report in our customer's template?
Yes. Tell us the form or template, and we deliver in it. Without a template we use our format with numbered characteristics and the corresponding inspection sketch.
What is the difference between FAI and the German EMPB?
FAI and EMPB serve a similar purpose, but they are not interchangeable terms. The Erstmusterprüfbericht (EMPB) is common in German-speaking countries, First Article Inspection (FAI) in English-speaking ones. The required scope and documentation depend on the customer's applicable standard, industry requirements and template.
Do you also deliver PPAP or VDA formats?
Yes, the metrology part: we deliver the dimensional results in the form sheet of your sampling process — as a dimensional report for a PPAP template as well as in accordance with VDA Volume 2. The other evidence of the sampling process (material, process) is contributed by the manufacturer.
Do you need CAD data?
No, a drawing is enough. With a STEP model, however, we work more efficiently: faster programming, an additional nominal-actual comparison of the surfaces, and usually lower costs as a result.
How long does a First Article Inspection take?
That depends on the number of characteristics and the method. You receive a binding date together with the quote.
Are your reports accredited (ISO/IEC 17025)?
No. CSL is not accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. Our laboratory operates under an ISO 9001-certified quality management system and uses calibrated, traceable equipment, interlaboratory comparisons and documented uncertainty evaluations where applicable. If an accredited report is required for your application, we clarify this before accepting the order.
Describe your measurement task.
First article produced, approval pending? Quotes are effort-based and transparent.
Christian Schärer
Owner and Managing Director · Standards committee Swissmem NK1
Briefly describe the part and what should be inspected, and attach the drawing or CAD data — excerpts are fine. An NDA before the first file is available on request. You normally receive a reply within one working day, in English if you prefer.
