Custom first article inspection app with measurement report
In a first-article inspection, the machine stands still until the first product has been measured and approved. On paper or in a spreadsheet at the workbench that takes time, and an overwritten value or the wrong measuring instrument only comes to light later. Appfront builds the app for the shop floor: the characteristics from the drawing on a tablet, the measuring instrument scanned, every value checked against the tolerance straight away, and a release that lets the series start.
What is a first-article inspection app with measurement report?
A first-article inspection checks whether the first product of a new series, a new setup or a revised drawing meets the requirements, before the rest is made. The operator or quality employee measures the characteristics from the drawing, compares them with the tolerances and records which measuring instrument was used. Only after release does the series run.
That measuring happens at the machine or in the measuring room, not at a desk. A paper form or a spreadsheet works poorly there. Values are copied over, the measuring instrument is not noted, a deviation is only spotted when the report is written up, and the machine stands idle all that time. If a customer complaint comes in later, it is no longer possible to trace who measured what.
This app is the shop-floor side. The measurement plan, the characteristics from the drawing and the report in the customer's format belong to the office software. The app retrieves the measurement plan for the order, lets the employee measure and sends everything back. We build it custom because every company has different products, measuring instruments and customer requirements.
Measuring at the machine
On tablet or phone.
Checked instantly
Green or red per characteristic.
Released faster
The series can start.
How we build your first-article inspection app with measurement report
We start on your shop floor: who measures, where, with which measuring instruments, and where the measurement plan currently lives. Then we build a first version of the app with a single product group, so you can quickly see whether the steps are right. Your operators use it for a few weeks on real orders. Digital measuring instruments, photos of deviations, the release and the integration with your office software or ERP follow once that goes well. After that, we maintain the app as your products or customer requirements change.
Measuring, instruments and orders.
One product group.
Instruments, photos, release.
Go-live, monitoring, and maintenance when things change.
What a first-article inspection app with measurement report actually does
The components below feature in almost every first-article inspection app. Which ones you need depends on your products and your shop floor.
Measurement plan per order
Characteristics and tolerances.
Scan the measuring instrument
With calibration check.
Instant checking
Within or outside tolerance.
Photos
For every deviation.
Release
By the authorised employee.
To the report
Back to the office.
Who we build a first-article inspection app with measurement report for
The app is intended for manufacturers who inspect first articles at the machine and don't want the machine to stand idle any longer than necessary. The more changeovers and the stricter the customer, the more it pays off.
Machinists
Many changeovers per week.
Subcontractors
Strict customer requirements.
Injection moulders
New mould or setup.
Quality department
Measuring in the measuring room.
Test your idea first: a working prototype in 1 day
With OneDayBuild, we make your idea tangible in a single day for €1,150, so you know whether further development is worth the investment. Decide to go ahead with the full build? Then we deduct the cost in full.
View OneDayBuild →Technology and integrations
This page is about the shop-floor app. For the inspection plan, the characteristics from the drawing and the customer report, see our page on first article inspection software with measurement report; for measuring equipment, our page on calibration software; and for process control during the production run, our page on SPC software. You can read about how we work on building an app.
Why Appfront for your first article inspection app with measurement report?
A machine that stands idle until the report is finished, or a deviation that is only spotted after the production run, costs a manufacturer money. That is what we build around: measuring where the product is, every value checked immediately, and a release that does not have to wait for the office.
Less downtime
Release at the machine.
No copying errors
Value recorded instantly.
Traceable
Who, when, with which instrument.
Security and privacy for a first article inspection app with measurement report
The app mainly processes product data, drawings and measured values, and sometimes confidential customer drawings. Access is set up per role, an operator only sees the orders for their own workstation, and data on the device is stored encrypted. Every measurement and release is logged with name and time.
The data is stored in a European data centre or in your own environment, with encrypted storage and daily backups. A lost tablet can be unlinked remotely.
Frequently asked questions about a first article inspection app with measurement report
Questions manufacturers ask before getting started.
It lets the operator or quality employee measure the first product at the machine or in the measuring room. The app shows the characteristics and tolerances for the order, records the values and the measuring instrument, checks them immediately and handles the release. Everything flows back to the measurement report at the office.
The office software manages the inspection plan, the characteristics from the drawing and the report in the customer's format. The app is the shop floor: measuring, checking and releasing. They work together, but you can also integrate the app with the system you already have.
Often, yes. Many digital callipers, micrometres and dial indicators can pass on their value via Bluetooth or a cable. The app enters it into the right characteristic, so nobody has to retype it. We look at which measuring instruments you have in the first step.
Yes. The employee scans the measuring instrument and the app checks in your calibration management whether it is still valid. If the calibration has expired, the app flags it before anything is measured.
Yes. In a hall or measuring room with poor reception, the app keeps working and sends the measurements as soon as there is a connection again. The inspection plan for that day's orders is already on the device.
The app marks the characteristic red, asks for a photo and a comment, and the release waits. An authorised employee decides whether the part is rejected, the machine is adjusted or a deviation permit is issued. That decision is recorded in the report.
For manufacturers with many changeovers, strict customer requirements, or measuring equipment and ways of working that do not fit a standard package. If you inspect a first article only a few times a month, a good form is often enough.
Inspecting first articles at the machine?
Tell us how first article inspection currently works and which measuring instruments you use. We will show you how the app can handle it.