A good acceptance criteria list protects schedule, budget, and quality. If you can’t test it, you can’t accept it.
What FAT and SAT Mean
FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) happens at the supplier site before shipment. SAT (Site Acceptance Test) happens after installation at your facility. Define what is tested, how it is measured, and what “pass” means.
Define the Product and Packaging Spec First
- Product behavior: flow, dust, viscosity, stickiness, fragility
- Packaging format: bag/pouch/bottle/jar, film structure, thickness, seal type
- Target output: units/min and acceptable efficiency
- Quality targets: seal strength, leak rate, fill tolerance, label/coding legibility
Core Performance Checks (Must-Have)
- Stable run for X minutes with no jams beyond threshold
- Output meets target at agreed conditions
- Changeover time measured for key formats
- Reject rate below threshold and reasons recorded
Quality Checks (Seals, Fill, Appearance)
- Seal integrity test method defined (burst, peel, dye, vacuum)
- Fill accuracy method defined (weighing plan and sample size)
- Pouch/bag appearance criteria (wrinkles, contamination, alignment)
- Coding/printing legibility criteria and verification method
Safety, Compliance, and Documentation
- Emergency stop and guarding validation
- Electrical: voltage/frequency, wiring, grounding, protection
- Material/contact parts: SUS304/316L where required, certificates if applicable
- Documentation pack: manuals, drawings, spare parts list, IO list, software backups
Handover Package
- Training scope and attendees
- Preventive maintenance plan and critical spares
- As-built photos and settings baseline
- Punch list + resolution process
Inputs we need for an accurate sourcing assessment
- Product state and behavior (powder flowability, viscosity, particulates, temperature)
- Package format and size range (bag/bottle/jar; material and seal type)
- Fill range and target tolerance (e.g., 100–500 g, ±1–2 g)
- Target output (units/min or hr) and expected runtime per day
- Local utilities (voltage/phase/frequency, compressed air, clean-room/hygiene level)
- Photos or sample pack + label requirements (if any)
Common failure points (what usually goes wrong)
- Filler choice not matching product behavior (bridging, foaming, shear sensitivity)
- Poor dust control contaminating seals (powders)
- Unstable feeding causing speed fluctuations and weight drift
- Bag material/seal spec not compatible with sealing temperature or contamination
- Underestimating footprint and maintenance access space
FAT acceptance test checklist
- Run with your product or a confirmed substitute and record output stability
- Check weight accuracy vs tolerance at different speeds
- Verify sealing integrity (leak test / visual inspection) across a full shift simulation
- Confirm safety, emergency stop, guards, and basic alarms
- Capture test video and final configuration list for handover
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I do FAT if I plan to do SAT anyway?
Yes. FAT catches integration and quality issues before shipping, when fixes are faster and cheaper.
How long should the stable run test be?
Use a duration that matches your risk level. Common practice is 30–120 minutes at target output and normal operator workflow.
What is the most common failure point?
Unclear quality criteria (seal and fill tolerances) and missing documentation/handover items.
Can you help write acceptance criteria?
Yes. We translate your product and packaging spec into measurable checks and align them with the supplier test plan.