Quality Reports & Certificates
CoC, FAI, material certificates and inspection reports that ship with orders
Every production order ships with quality documentation: a Certificate of Conformance (CoC) confirming the part meets the drawing, material certificates traceable to the source lot, and for qualified orders a First Article Inspection (FAI) report with measured dimensions. These documents are the audit trail that turns a batch of parts into a releaseable, traceable supply.
1. The standard documents
CoC (Certificate of Conformance): a signed statement that parts conform to the drawing/PO, including revision, quantity and process references. Material certificates: mill/test reports (EN 10204 type 3.1 or 2.2) with chemistry and mechanical test values from the source lot.
FAI (First Article Inspection, AS9102 format for aerospace): measures every drawing characteristic on the first article, with method and result per feature. FAI is the gate for production release on qualified parts.
2. Inspection methods
CMM (coordinate measuring) verifies positions, sizes and GD&T with micron accuracy; calipers/micrometers cover simple dimensions; optical/projection measurement for small features and threads; hardness (Rockwell/Brinell) verifies heat treat; surface roughness (profilometer) checks finish.
Functional gages (pin gages for holes at MMC, thread gages) are the fastest and most representative checks for assembly-critical features — a hole that accepts the pin is a pass regardless of computed position.
3. When you need what
Prototypes: CoC + basic inspection sufficient. Production first run: FAI + material certs. Regulated industries (aerospace, medical, automotive PPAP): full FAI (AS9102), PPAP submissions, process control (Cpk) data and lot traceability. Always state the required documents on the PO.
The platform attaches documents to the order record: download CoC/FAI/material certs from the order page at any time, and request copies for audits.
4. Reading the report
Check: drawing revision and PO number match; every characteristic listed has a measured value within tolerance; the material cert’s lot matches the parts; the CoC is signed and dated. Discrepancies go back to the factory with the part and report.
Keep FAI and certs with the part history; they are the evidence base for supplier qualification and internal audits.
Quick reference
| Document | Content | When required |
|---|---|---|
| CoC | Conformance statement | Every order |
| Material cert | Chemistry + mechanical, lot trace | Production, regulated |
| FAI (AS9102) | All characteristics measured | First article, aerospace |
| PPAP | Process + part validation | Automotive production |
| CMM report | GD&T measurements | Precision features |
| Hardness cert | HRC/HB values | Heat-treated parts |
Sources & references
- AS9102 — Aerospace FAI standard
- EN 10204 — Material certificates
- AIAG PPAP — Automotive
- Xometry Learning Center — Quality Reports (public engineering reference)