Factory Acceptance Test Checklist for a Non-Woven Bag Making Machine Before Shipment

What Happens If the Machine Passes a Demonstration but Fails Your Production?

A short video of a non-woven bag machine running at the Supplier’s factory does not prove that it meets the purchase order. The demonstration may use an easy fabric, one bag size, reduced speed, or hand-sorted output. After shipment, the buyer may discover unstable web tracking, weak welds, inaccurate length, poor counting, missing safety documents, or a Customizable module that was never tested with the real product. At that point, freight, installation, and production delays make every correction more expensive. A Factory Acceptance Test must therefore be a contract-defined decision gate. It should trace every requirement to a measurable test, use approved customer material, run the agreed operating envelope, record failures, and prevent packing until critical issues close. The objective is evidence that the delivered configuration can perform, not a ceremonial visit.

A qualified Supplier should freeze the specification, approve a written FAT protocol, run production material across the contracted operating range, measure output and safety functions, close punch-list items, and deliver a controlled document pack. Zhengxin can build these acceptance points into the OEM order before manufacturing begins.

The following checklist reveals the commercial and technical details that experienced importers use to convert a quotation into enforceable acceptance evidence. It covers specification traceability, production materials, sustained runs, quality measurements, safety functions, documents, punch-list control, balance payment, and written shipping release.

Freeze the URS, Purchase Order, and Approved Configuration

Start the FAT plan when the order is negotiated. Create a requirement traceability table linking the User Requirement Specification, purchase order, approved drawings, options, utilities, samples, and FAT test step. Define which value is a rated limit, which is a guaranteed production value, and under what material and bag conditions it applies.

Any open design choice should have an owner and due date. Uncontrolled changes create scope disputes, delay risk, and payment risk.

Approve Test Material, Bag Samples, and Measurement Methods

Send enough production fabric, handle material, ink-printed web, and consumables to complete setup plus sustained runs. Identify each roll by Supplier, polymer, basis weight, thickness, width, treatment, print repeat, and lot. If the Manufacturer supplies the test material, the contract should state that it is equivalent to the buyer’s approved input.

• Define calibrated tools for length, width, gusset, handle position, and weld strength.
• Agree sampling frequency and sample quantity before testing.
• Specify whether dimensions are checked immediately or after conditioning.
• Use ISO 9073-3:2023 or another agreed method when strip tensile evidence is required.
• Retain signed golden samples for factory and buyer.

A pass cannot depend on visual judgment alone. Tolerance, test method, and failure rule must be written in the protocol.

Run Minimum, Normal, and Maximum Contracted Conditions

One easy operating point does not validate a Customizable machine. Test the agreed corners of the product matrix without exceeding safe design limits. Include the narrowest and widest relevant web, lightest and heaviest approved GSM, smallest and largest bag, printed tracking where purchased, and every contracted bag style or online handle function.

For reference, Zhengxin models have different rated ranges; for example, published ZXL-A700 Ultra data includes 40–120 pieces per minute, 30–120 g/m² material, 500–1300 mm roll width, and 15 kW total power. The contract must state which combination is guaranteed because maximum values may not occur simultaneously.

Measure Quality, Waste, Counting, and Fault Recovery

Record total pieces, accepted pieces, setup scrap, running scrap, stops, stop causes, and manual interventions. Measure bag length, width, gusset, fold, handle location, cut quality, print registration, and weld performance against the approved drawing. A good FAT distinguishes gross speed de saleable output.

1. Start with a cleared counter and identified material roll.
2. Run for the agreed sustained period without hidden sorting.
3. Collect samples at beginning, middle, and end.
4. Trigger defined faults such as roll end, missed print mark, jam, or air-pressure loss where safe.
5. Verify alarm, stop, reset, and restart behavior.
6. Reconcile HMI count, physical count, accepted count, and rejected count.

Agree how planned setup waste differs from uncontrolled process waste. This prevents a Supplier and buyer from using different denominators.

Witness Safety, Electrical, and Utility Tests

FAT must include every guard, interlock, emergency stop, isolation device, alarm, and relevant safety function. Verify protective bonding and electrical documentation in accordance with the applicable machinery framework and agreed standards such as IEC 60204-1. Confirm voltage, frequency, phase, full-load current where specified, pneumatic pressure, air quality, and extraction needs.

• Check that an emergency stop requires deliberate reset and does not cause automatic restart.
• Open each interlocked guard using the approved safe test procedure.
• Verify stored pneumatic or mechanical energy can be isolated or released safely.
• Match wire numbers, component models, terminal labels, and schematics.
• Record the final PLC, HMI, drive, and safety-parameter versions.

A CE mark is not a substitute for these witnessed checks. Safety failures should be classified as shipment-blocking non-conformities.

Control the Document Pack, Training, and Spare Parts

List every deliverable with revision and due date. The pack may include operation and maintenance manuals, electrical and pneumatic drawings, layout and foundation requirements, parts lists, lubrication schedule, troubleshooting guide, conformity documents, test records, software backups, passwords under agreed controls, training records, and spare-parts inventory.

For OEM and ODM projects, include Customizable drawings, tooling lists, and approved recipes instead of relying on standard catalog documents.

Use a Punch List and Written Shipment Release

Every deviation needs an identifier, description, evidence, severity, owner, due date, corrective action, and verification status. Define critical, major, and minor non-conformity rules in advance. Critical safety or performance failures should block shipment. Minor cosmetic items may close through agreed evidence only if the contract allows it.

Link the final payment milestone and shipping authorization to signed FAT results and closure conditions. After approval, verify packing, moisture and rust protection, accessory count, serial numbers, shipping marks, container restraint, and photo records. A Site Acceptance Test should then confirm installation and utilities without reopening unrelated commercial scope.

Send Zhengxin your bag matrix, material rolls, target output, utilities, safety requirements, and document list. We will prepare a traceable FAT protocol for your Customizable OEM or ODM line before production and shipping release.