Resource
First-article log
A first-article log helps your team hand over every job smoothly, shift to shift. It captures the settings, checks and exceptions on each part run.
Who uses the first-article log and why it matters
The first-article log is a printed sheet for operators, production leads and supervisors working with fibre laser cutters and markers. It is filled in by the person setting up each new job, especially for shift work or when more than one team shares the machine.
This log gives the next shift a full handover: it records the machine state, all settings, material details and any changes or problems spotted on the first part. This helps avoid mistakes, repeated faults and confusion when jobs run across different shifts or days.
What the log captures and how to fill it in
Each field on the first-article log matches a key step in getting a new job running. Filling it in must be done at the machine, not from memory afterwards. Always write clearly and use the actual values on the console and part.
Typical fields include the part name or job number, material type and thickness, batch or coil number, nozzle and lens condition, assist gas type and pressure, chiller and extraction checks, program file or nest reference, settings (focus, power, speed), and visual check results on the cut or mark.
- Job and part details (name, number, revision)
- Material and thickness
- Nozzle, lens and window condition
- Assist gas type and settings
- Extraction and chiller status
- Operator notes and exceptions
How to use the log on the shop floor
Keep the filled log next to the machine for the next operator or shift lead. If there are any out-of-spec results, poor cuts, odd marks or machine warnings, record them clearly in the exceptions field and notify your lead or maintenance team as soon as possible.
If the log shows a repeated problem or drift in quality, stop and call for a first-article review at Sunnyrock HQ. This helps catch setup errors, worn parts or bad material before more scrap is made. Always keep a blank spare log in the fixture drawer and request the latest printable version through our contact form if needed.
