How a Factory Acceptance Test runs
FAT is the last chance to catch mismatch before equipment leaves the factory. Process, scope and limits in detail.
FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) is a sample or full inspection of a finished batch at the manufacturer before shipment. It's standard practice in B2B equipment procurement, especially for batches from 5 units or for expensive single items.
A well-run FAT removes the core risk of the China market — getting something other than what was ordered. A poorly-run or skipped FAT lands you in “equipment in client warehouse, half of it defective”.
TL;DR
- FAT is a documented inspection of the batch at the manufacturer before shipment.
- Scope is fixed in the contract: sampling, tests, photo and video evidence.
- Done by the client, the client's representative, or an independent inspection company.
- FAT doesn't cover hidden defects, wear, or transport damage — those are warranty and insurance domains.
What a typical FAT includes
A base FAT for a batch of mobile robots includes: cross-checking serial numbers against the contract list, inspection of packaging and plates, firmware version check, sampled functional test (power-up, movement, base scenarios), measurement of key parameters (battery, speed, positioning accuracy).
For complex configurations — additional integration tests, interface language check, charging-station tests. Every step is documented — plate photos, test videos, serial numbers in an Excel table.
Who runs FAT
Three options. First — client travels to the factory. Ideal for large projects, but needs visa, travel budget and English/Chinese.
Second — client's representative. That can be us (Nexum) or an authorised manufacturer partner in China. Inspection scope fixed in the contract; results go in a FAT-report PDF sent to the client before shipment.
Third — independent inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek). Worth it for projects from $300K or where a legally independent finding is required. Costs 1—3% of the batch.
What goes into the FAT report
A standard report — a 10—40 page PDF. Contains: batch overview (contract, date, inspector), serial number table, plate photos per inspected unit, packaging and packing-list photos, functional-test video, key-parameter measurements, list of findings and resolutions.
If the inspector finds defects, they're classified: critical (shipment blocked until fixed), major (fixed before shipment or noted as remark), minor (noted without blocking).
What FAT doesn't cover
Important to understand the limits, so you don't expect FAT to solve too much. FAT is a snapshot of the batch at acceptance. Wear, real operating regimes, environmental impact — that's the warranty and service domain, not QC.
FAT also doesn't cover: transport damage (insurance and warehouse acceptance), hidden manufacturing defects emerging at 3—6 months of operation (OEM warranty), mismatch with current client brief if the brief changed between signing and production.
Each of these has its own instrument: cargo insurance, OEM warranty, change-request procedure. FAT is good at what it's designed for — catching batch mismatch with the contract.
Want a concrete estimate for your case?
The guide answers “how” and “why”. Concrete “how much and how long” is a separate conversation. Start with the 2-minute audit or just write to us.