What is the full form of FAT?

Introduction

Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) is a process which is performed to verify that the equipment or system is functioning properly and is meeting the company standards. It is usually conducted before shipping the product to the manufacturing plant. It is usually done in front of the customer.

The FAT ensures that the system or equipment is as per the requirements of a customer. It also ensures that it is designed, and assembled properly. The system or equipment is tested under various operating conditions from normal to abnormal. The conditions are testing the equipment under different loads, testing its accuracy etc.

Purpose

• The purpose of the factory acceptance test is to ensure the system or equipment is working properly and meets specific requirements needed by the customer before shipping it.

• The customer can witness the equipment or systems to check if it meets their expectations and requirements.

• The manufacturer has control over the testing environment. So, necessary adjustments can be made before the equipment is shipped.

• FAT minimises the risk of failures during operation at the customer’s site.

• FAT saves money and time for both customers and manufacturers by identifying issues.

• It allows customers to ask questions and become familiar with the equipment after installation.

FAT process

Factory Acceptance Test involves following steps

• Prepare the test plan: The test plan is made to outline the testing procedures, requirements and specifications. The test plan should be agreed upon by both the customer and the manufacturer.

• Conducting the test: The system or equipment is tested under various operating conditions. The conditions can be normal or abnormal. The tests cover the accuracy, reliability, and safety of the equipment or system.

• Record the results: Test results are recorded in a report. The report includes the details of testing procedures, issues found and corrective actions taken to correct them.

• Reviewing the results: After discussing the report, the manufacturer makes corrections and modifications to the system or equipment.

• Finalisation of test report: After the customer and manufacturer address the issues, a final report is made and submitted for the customer’s approval. The report should be summarised to include test results, conclusion and specifications.

• Acceptance by customer: If the system or equipment meets the requirements then the customer will share formal acceptance.

FAT vs SAT (Site Acceptance test)

FAT and SAT both are commonly used tests in manufacturing. Both tests are conducted to check if a system meets the requirements of a customer. But both of them vary in the terms of where the test is conducted or the location of the test.

Factory Acceptance Test	Site Acceptance Test
It is conducted at the manufacturing plant.	It is conducted at the customer’s site.
It is conducted before the equipment or system is shipped to the customer.	It is conducted after the equipment or system is installed.
It verifies if the system or equipment is designed and is functioning properly.	It makes sure the system or equipment is working properly in the new environment.
The tests are done to check the accuracy, reliability and safety of the equipment.	The tests are customer site−centric to check the working of equipment or the system’s functionality in a new environment.

Both FAT and SAT are important to ensure the functionality and working of the equipment.

Conclusion

The factory acceptance test is a critical step in the manufacturing process. It ensures that the system or equipment is of high quality and it meets customer requirements. It gives the manufacturer the chance to show that the equipment or system complies with all the standards. FAT reduces the risk of potential failures, loss of money and time. Overall, FAT is an essential part of the manufacturing process for both the manufacturer and the customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is the factory acceptance test important?

Ans: Yes, a factory acceptance test is important for both the customer and the manufacturer. It ensures that the system or equipment is working properly by conducting various tests to check its accuracy, reliability and safety.

Q2. Who conducts the factory acceptance test?

Ans: The manufacturer or supplier conducts the factory acceptance test. It is conducted before the shipment of the system or equipment to check its functionality.

Q3. Differentiate between FAT and SAT?

Ans: FAT is conducted at the manufacturing plant whereas SAT is conducted at the customer site. FAT is conducted to make sure the equipment is designed and assembled properly but SAT is conducted to check if the equipment or the system is working properly in the new environment.