A paper cup machine FAT checklist should establish whether the equipment delivered by the supplier matches the agreed cup, material and order scope. A video of cups leaving a machine is useful, but it cannot establish accepted output, material suitability or completion of the purchase specification by itself.
Factory acceptance testing takes place before shipment. Its practical value is a traceable record of what was tested, what passed and what still requires action. Define the test plan before the supplier schedules the demonstration so there is time to obtain representative material and resolve missing information.
Freeze the application and test boundary
Identify the cup drawing revision, top and bottom diameters, height, material specification and fitted tooling. Record the actual paper batch and coating rather than describing the material only as “food-grade paper.” A successful trial on a different board is evidence for that board, not automatic approval of your intended production material.
List the included machine, collection equipment and any packing interface. If a full line cannot be demonstrated together, state which functions are tested individually and which remain for site acceptance. Use the paper cup production line planning guide to define those interfaces.
Verify identity, documents and physical scope
Compare the nameplate, model, electrical rating, tooling list and supplied accessories with the confirmed order. Check the document revision and machine identification on the manual, circuit information and spare-parts list. Photograph identifiable items without exposing credentials or control-system passwords.
Record discrepancies before starting the performance trial. An agreed substitution needs a written disposition, including its effect on operation, compatibility and future spare parts. Treat a missing item as an open item until someone accepts responsibility and a completion date.
| Test area | Evidence to collect | Acceptance decision to agree |
|---|---|---|
| Machine identity | Nameplate and configuration record | Matches the approved order revision |
| Cup and material | Drawing, sample and paper batch reference | Trial represents the intended application |
| Production run | Start/end times, interruptions and counts | Output measured on an agreed time basis |
| Cup quality | Identified samples and inspection results | Meets the agreed methods and limits |
| Operator functions | Demonstration and recorded observations | Required functions work as specified |
| Open items | Owner, action and retest requirement | Shipment decision is documented |
Measure accepted output rather than the display setting
Agree whether the run interval includes normal brief stops and adjustments. Record total formed cups, rejected cups and accepted cups using a counting method that avoids double counting samples or recycled rejects. If the machine stops, record when, why and for how long.
A useful report contains accepted cups divided by the agreed elapsed test time, alongside the operating speed setting. These answer different questions. The display describes a setting; accepted output describes the result under the recorded conditions. Do not extrapolate a short demonstration into a guaranteed daily output. The production capacity calculation guide explains the planning boundary.
Inspect samples with an agreed method
Choose checks relevant to the finished cup: dimensions, side seam, bottom seal, rim formation, appearance and stack handling. Identify samples by time or production position where possible so defects can be related to the trial. For leak testing, agree the liquid, fill condition, observation period and failure definition before comparing results.
Do not invent a universal leak duration, dimensional tolerance or reject allowance. Those belong to the buyer's application and approved acceptance plan. Retain the method and results together; a photograph of an intact cup cannot replace the inspection record. Discuss the proposed cup with the HN-S120 equipment team before finalizing the trial scope.
Close the test with a release decision
Classify findings as passed, failed, deferred or not tested. For each unresolved item, name the responsible party, required evidence and retest condition. A conditional shipment release should identify its exceptions clearly rather than presenting the whole FAT as complete.
Keep FAT separate from site acceptance. Transport, installation, local utilities and operator readiness can change the production conditions after arrival. Retain the FAT record as the baseline for the installation and commissioning team.
Keep a run-accounting sheet and an exception log
For each agreed test interval, retain its start and end, stop periods, formed count, rejected count and any samples removed for inspection. Give inspection samples an explicit status so they are neither counted twice nor silently classified as saleable. If the counter resets during a stop, preserve the readings on both sides and reconcile them with the physical count.
For example, a trial on substitute paper may demonstrate the collection sequence while leaving the intended material untested. Record that as a scoped result, not a complete application pass. A packing machine tested separately also leaves the integrated transfer unproven. Put each exception beside the affected criterion, the evidence still needed and the person responsible for closure.
Before shipment, reconcile the signed report with retained samples and the final machine configuration. If a change was made after the witnessed run, identify whether it requires another check. The FAT file should allow the site team to reproduce the demonstrated condition without guessing which recipe, paper or accessory was actually used.
Frequently asked questions
Can a running video replace a FAT report?
No. A video supports the record when it identifies the equipment, application and test interval, but it does not establish every acceptance criterion or unresolved item.
Must every cup size be tested?
Agree the scope before testing. Identify demonstrated combinations and the evidence required for other sizes; do not assume one trial validates every tooling set.
Who sets acceptable reject levels?
The buyer and supplier should agree the method and limits for the application. An advertised machine speed is not a reject-rate acceptance criterion.
Does passing FAT prove the installed line will perform identically?
It provides a pre-shipment baseline. Site utilities, material and line interfaces still require installation and site acceptance checks.
Prepare your acceptance brief
Send the cup drawing, material specification, target accepted output and required test evidence through the HANNAI inquiry page. Identify any connected equipment and unresolved acceptance criteria so the proposed test has a clear boundary.