Agree Acceptance Before The Test Stage
Factory acceptance testing, commonly called FAT, evaluates agreed equipment requirements before delivery. Site acceptance testing, or SAT, evaluates the agreed requirements following installation at the customer site. The purpose and scope of each test depend on the project.
Define the checks, acceptance criteria, samples and responsibilities early. The required evidence should be linked to what the machine is intended to do.
Separate Equipment Checks From Process Responsibilities
A machine supplier and customer may have different responsibilities for equipment testing, process qualification and production release. Make those responsibilities explicit in the project plan.
Terms such as IQ, OQ and PQ describe qualification activities that may apply within a customer process. The applicable protocols, execution responsibilities and supporting documents must be agreed for that project.
Build The Documentation Package Around The Need
Common equipment information can include mechanical assembly drawings, electrical and pneumatic schematics, operating information and a bill of materials with agreed spares information.
CPS has also prepared design, traceability, qualification, acceptance and specialist project documents. There is no single standard package supplied with every project. The content and level of detail are agreed with the customer.
Include Installation, Training And Maintenance
Handover involves more than a test signature. Consider utilities, access, installation arrangements, operator training, planned maintenance and the information needed to identify spare parts.
The documentation should help the intended users understand the equipment and its agreed operation. Any customer-specific format or site-readiness requirement should be raised during project planning.
Bring Your Requirements Into The First Discussion
Share the documentation list, customer templates and expected testing approach with CPS while the equipment scope is being developed. This helps align engineering work, test preparation and handover.
Documentation and testing support should reflect the actual application. A supplied document package does not on its own demonstrate that every regulatory or customer process requirement has been met.
