Which operating conditions should be included in the pre-order review?
Include normal rate and product pitch, starts and stops, maximum credible loaded restart, downstream blockage, accumulation and release, changeover, cleaning, maintenance access, manual mode and any environmental exposure. The review should follow the product through every interface rather than considering only steady movement on a straight section.
Where an operating state is not required, record that boundary so it is not assumed later.
How should conveyor acceptance criteria be written?
Acceptance criteria should describe an observable result, the product and state used, the operating condition, the test method and the evidence to retain. “Runs well” is not measurable; “the agreed sample transfers through interface 3 during normal flow and loaded restart without tipping or manual correction” is testable.
Criteria should avoid unsupported lifetime or reliability promises unless a defined test can demonstrate them.
What can be checked at a factory trial and what must wait for site?
A factory trial can check the supplied conveyor, representative product behaviour, controls, sensors, stops and any interfaces reproduced in the test setup. Site acceptance is needed for final floor levels, installed supports, utilities, surrounding access, real machine handshakes, site guarding boundaries and the complete production sequence.
The FAT and SAT plan should divide tests deliberately rather than assuming the factory result proves conditions that were not present.
Which assumptions should remain open until final engineering approval?
Final belt, chain, roller, motor, gearbox, VFD range, sensor, guard and safety-function decisions should remain subject to the selected components, actual duty and competent project review. Product behaviour should remain open where representative samples or process states are unavailable. Site details remain open until measured and agreed.
Maintain an assumptions register and close each item with a drawing, measurement, trial, supplier confirmation or acceptance result.
