Acceptance guide

Cap feeder FAT and SAT acceptance testing.

Define what the feeder must prove before dispatch and after installation on the capping line.

Request cap feeder advice Call 01494 623015

Build the decision around real caps and the real capping line.

Send representative closures, bottle and cap information, required orientation, target output and capper handover details so Lancing can assess a suitable route.

Send project details

Acceptance principle

Test the agreed operating behaviour, not only whether the feeder runs.

A factory acceptance test (FAT) and site acceptance test (SAT) are most useful when the project has a clear specification, representative closures and agreed pass criteria. The FAT can demonstrate the feeder route in a controlled environment. The SAT then confirms installation, utilities, line signals, guarding, operator access and real handover to the capping machine.

The scope should be proportionate to the project. A stand-alone presenter may need a simpler test than a fully integrated hopper, elevator, orientator, chute and capper. In every case, the acceptance record should identify the exact cap and bottle formats tested, the test conditions, any exclusions and the actions required before handover.

Use representative closuresInclude normal production variation, liners, tamper bands, decorative finishes and fitted tubes where relevant.

Agree the capper boundaryState whether the test ends at the feeder outlet, chute, escapement, placement head or completed capped bottle.

Record fault behaviourInclude low-level, no-cap, blocked-chute and stop/start conditions rather than testing steady flow only.

Factory acceptance

What a cap feeder FAT should cover.

The final FAT schedule should be agreed for the supplied system and should not rely on unsupported generic speed figures.

FAT area	What to confirm	Evidence to record
Format identity	The exact cap, bottle and change parts used are the agreed production formats.	Sample references, photographs, drawings and format list.
Separation and orientation	Caps progress without unacceptable nesting, doubles or wrong-way delivery at the defined outlet.	Observed run, reject behaviour and notes on any sample variation.
Sustainable feed	The feeder supports the agreed test demand and buffer condition without starving or flooding the handover.	Test duration, line demand, refill condition, interventions and stoppages.
Starts and stops	The system responds predictably after normal stops, depleted caps and downstream accumulation.	Restart sequence, queue condition and operator actions.
Faults and recovery	Relevant sensors, alarms and safe recovery steps work as specified.	Fault list, alarm message, recovery action and restart result.
Changeover and access	Required adjustments or change parts can be identified, fitted and verified using the supplied method.	Changeover record, tools, settings, clearance check and training notes.

Site acceptance

Use the SAT to prove the installed interfaces.

Installation

Position, utilities and access

Confirm the feeder, hopper, chute, control panel and guarding are installed in the agreed positions with safe refill, cleaning and maintenance access.

Controls

Demand and fault signals

Check capper-ready, run permission, low-level, cap-in-chute, blocked-chute and emergency-stop interfaces included in the project scope.

Production

Real line handover

Run the agreed bottle and cap combination through the installed capper, recording interventions and any behaviour that differs from FAT conditions.

Acceptance record

Keep pass criteria traceable to the quotation and specification.

A clear record prevents an output target, sample format or interface assumption from becoming ambiguous after installation.

Freeze the test scope

List formats, samples, operating conditions, interfaces and exclusions before the test begins.

Run planned scenarios

Include normal flow, controlled stops, low-cap conditions, fault recovery and each agreed changeover.

Record deviations

Describe the observed issue, its effect, agreed action, owner and retest requirement.

Sign the handover

Confirm accepted items, outstanding actions, training delivered and the documents supplied.

Cap feeder specificationDefine the requirement before acceptance testing.Sample preparationSupply representative caps and bottle combinations.Guarding and safe accessInclude installation and recovery risks in the site review.

Quotation readiness

Put FAT and SAT requirements into the enquiry pack.

Tell Lancing which formats must be demonstrated, where the performance boundary ends, what controls are included and who will provide the downstream capper or simulation.

Discuss acceptance requirements Open quote checklist