A factory acceptance test (FAT) is a test of the machine at the maker's works before it ships. A site acceptance test (SAT) is a test at your plant after installation, with your utilities, your operators and your product.
FAT tells you whether the machine is ready to ship and whether you should release the next payment. SAT tells you whether it performs in real conditions, and usually triggers final acceptance.
What a FAT should cover
- A visual and dimensional check of the machine against the approved drawings.
- A check of material certificates and the list of bought-in components, such as motors, drives and controls.
- Tests of every safety function, including emergency stops, guard interlocks and alarms.
- A run at rated speed for an agreed period, so faults have time to appear.
- A product trial with your own material and packaging, with output, accuracy and quality measured.
- A review of manuals, drawings and certificates before the machine is packed.
- A written punch list of open points, with dates for closing them.
What a SAT should cover
SAT repeats the key FAT tests after installation, so you can compare results. It also checks things the factory could not test, such as connection to your utilities, integration with other machines, and performance over a longer production run.
Many contracts link final payment or the start of warranty to a signed SAT. Agree in advance what happens if a test fails, and how long the maker has to put it right.
Making the tests useful
- Write the test protocol before the machine is built, with numerical pass criteria for each test.
- Send enough of your product and packaging material to the factory in good time for the trial.
- Tie payment stages to signed test results, as discussed in payment terms for machinery.
- Attend the FAT yourself, or send a representative who knows what to check.
- Record the test with photos, video and data logs so there is no dispute later.
- Do not allow dispatch until critical punch list items are closed.
Witnessing from abroad
Travelling to India for every test is not always possible. A representative on the factory floor can witness the trial for you, check the machine against the protocol and share live video. The practical side is covered in witnessing a machine trial.
A video call on its own is weaker than a person on site. The camera only shows what the factory points it at.
Whoever attends should check the machine physically, not just watch it run. That means opening guards, reading motor plates, checking component brands against the parts list and weighing product samples on an independent scale. Ask for raw data, such as weight logs and sieve results, not only a signed summary.
Next step
We write FAT protocols with you, witness the test at the factory and report results before you pay for dispatch. To start, book a free sourcing review.