Factory and site tests answer different questions. Define scope, configuration, conditions, measurement, responsibilities and deviation closure before the machine is built or a performance result is promised.
A late checklist can only observe what was supplied. An early acceptance matrix connects every important requirement to objective evidence, a responsible party and a decision if the result differs.
Connect acceptance to machine selectionUse the available factory configuration to check identity, functions, documents, interfaces and any contracted mold/material trial. Record temporary utilities and missing final-site elements.
Check transport/reassembly, released utilities, final equipment, site interfaces, training and any production conditions that could not be represented at the factory.
The package should be project-specific. A generic signed checklist is weak evidence when configuration and conditions are missing.
Map each contractual machine, option, interface, document and performance requirement to a test, review or recorded exclusion.
Identify machine, injection unit, screw, software, options, robot, auxiliaries, mold, resin and document revisions used for the test.
Define utilities, ambient state, warm-up, mold/material conditioning, cavities, start condition, duration, sampling and downtime treatment.
Name every metric, instrument, method, sample size, calculation, tolerance, calibration/status evidence and responsible observer.
Assign preparation, operation, supply, observation, signoff, data retention, travel, retest and corrective-action responsibility.
Record issue, requirement affected, evidence, containment, owner, due date, retest method, residual risk and final closure status.
The matrix is a planning template, not a universal legal or technical acceptance procedure. Adapt it to the contract, machine, cell and destination.
| Acceptance area | Factory evidence | Site evidence | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity & configuration | Verify nameplate/order configuration, installed options, software and supplied equipment against the released baseline. | Verify received/reassembled configuration, shipping condition and any approved site change. | Configuration record, photos, versions and deviation list |
| Documents | Review agreed drawings, manuals, parts lists, settings/backups, test records and destination-document scope. | Confirm final revisions, site changes, training records, backups and handover location/access. | Document register with revision and status |
| Safety functions | Functionally check agreed guards, interlocks, emergency stops, modes, alarms and integrated equipment under the factory setup. | Recheck the installed cell, site interfaces and modifications within the applicable risk-assessment and legal process. | Test steps/results plus open risk or conformity actions |
| Dry cycle & alarms | Exercise agreed motions, limits, sequences, interlocks, alarms, recovery and option functions without assuming production proof. | Repeat functions affected by transport, reassembly, utilities, integration or site configuration. | Signed functional checklist and alarm/recovery record |
| Interfaces | Test available robot, mold, hot runner, peripheral, network and data interfaces included in the factory scope. | Test the final connected equipment, safety chain, signal mapping, recipes/data and fault behavior. | I/O, network, protocol/version and fault-test record |
| Mold/material trial | If contracted, run the defined mold, resin, cavities and cell scope against agreed process and quality checks. | Repeat or complete the production trial with released site utilities, final equipment and operators as specified. | Conditions, settings, samples, quality data and event log |
| Training & handover | Cover agreed operation, setup, maintenance, safety information, backups and factory-specific open items. | Complete site operation, integration, maintenance, escalation, spare-parts and ownership handover. | Attendance, topics, competence/action record and signed punch list |
Closure should preserve the original result and the evidence that the agreed requirement was later met or formally dispositioned.
Reference the exact requirement, test step, actual result, evidence and affected configuration.
Separate safety/legal, functional, quality/output, documentation and cosmetic or administrative issues.
Define containment, correction, concession if legally and contractually valid, owner, due date and access needed.
Use the agreed conditions and keep objective evidence rather than closing from a verbal update.
Sign the closure or move the item into a controlled site punch list with responsibility and consequence visible.
The answers keep commercial acceptance, production evidence and legal/safety responsibilities clearly separated.
FAT is normally performed at the supplier or integration location before shipment; SAT is performed after installation at the buyer's site. The contract must define the exact scope. Site utilities, final interfaces, reassembly and local integration often require checks that a factory setup cannot complete.
Not by itself. Compare factory and site utilities, mold, resin, auxiliaries, software, operators, ambient conditions and complete-cell configuration. Define which production evidence is required at FAT, repeated at SAT or deferred to a separate ramp-up test.
No. Commercial acceptance tests can provide evidence for agreed requirements, but they do not replace the applicable design, conformity, installation, integration or site risk-assessment responsibilities. Keep those deliverables explicit and separate.
Agree the exact mold, resin, cavities, conditioning, utilities, cell scope, warm-up/start point, run duration, downtime treatment, sampling, measurement equipment, quality criteria and calculation before the test. Record actual conditions and every deviation.
Attach the requirements matrix, configuration list, controlled drawings, utility and interface schedules, mold/material trial plan, quality method, document list, responsibility matrix, training scope, deviation process and signoff rules.
Attach the requirements matrix, configured cell scope, utility and interface schedules, mold/material plan, measurement method and deviation rules before quotation.
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