Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) plays a critical role in validating new machinery prior to shipment. It confirms that the press has been assembled correctly, that systems function as intended, and that performance targets can be achieved under controlled conditions.
In most cases, FAT demonstrates the technical capability of the machine clearly and effectively.
However, factory validation and production reality are not the same environment.
A factory setting typically benefits from stable conditions, experienced demonstration operators, controlled substrates, optimised inks, and direct access to engineering support. The objective is to verify that the machine performs as designed — and this objective is usually met successfully.
Production environments introduce a much wider range of variables.
These may include:
Over recent years, remote FAT has become increasingly common across Europe and internationally. In many situations this has improved efficiency and reduced travel costs while still allowing customers to confirm machine functionality.
At the same time, remote validation can reduce the opportunity for deeper exploration of how the press will behave under real production conditions. The format naturally encourages confirmation that the machine runs correctly, rather than extended stress-testing across the full range of expected production scenarios.
From observation across multiple installations, it becomes clear that FAT generally confirms capability. The remaining challenge lies in ensuring that this capability transfers smoothly into the customer’s specific production environment.
Where early-life performance difficulties arise, they are often linked not to mechanical deficiencies, but to differences between factory validation conditions and operational reality at site.
This does not diminish the importance of FAT. Rather, it highlights the need to view FAT as one stage within a broader process that continues through installation and stabilised production.
Early-life machine performance depends on successfully bridging the gap between demonstration and daily production.
Recognising this transition as a structured phase of its own can significantly reduce uncertainty and shorten the path to stable output.