A waterjet factory acceptance test, commonly called a FAT, verifies whether a completed system meets the approved technical requirements before it leaves the manufacturer’s facility. The inspection should cover more than machine appearance or a short demonstration. It should confirm the ordered configuration, mechanical assembly, CNC functions, high-pressure operation, abrasive delivery, cutting performance, safety response and delivery documents.
A useful FAT begins with written acceptance criteria. The manufacturer and buyer should agree on the material, thickness, drawing, cutting conditions, measurement method and required result before testing starts. Without these conditions, a visually attractive sample cannot prove whether the equipment meets the actual production requirement.
The FAT does not replace installation, operator training or site acceptance testing. Its purpose is to identify configuration errors, functional problems and unresolved technical issues before packing and international shipment, when corrections are generally faster and less disruptive.
A complete waterjet FAT should verify the following areas:
The machine identity and configuration match the approved order.
The frame, cutting table, motion system, piping and electrical assembly are complete.
The CNC can home, jog, load programs and run the required cutting paths correctly.
The high-pressure system reaches the specified working condition without abnormal leakage or instability.
The cutting head and abrasive-delivery system start, stop and feed consistently.
A representative cutting trial is completed using agreed material and geometry.
The finished sample is inspected using agreed dimensions and edge-quality criteria.
Emergency stops, travel limits, alarms and shutdown functions respond correctly.
Manuals, drawings, spare-parts information, training materials and test records are available.
All open issues are recorded, corrected and verified before shipment authorization.
A FAT should produce evidence, not only a general statement that the machine is working. Useful evidence includes configuration records, photographs, operating videos, pressure observations, sample measurements, issue logs and an approved final report.
A waterjet factory acceptance test is a structured inspection performed at the manufacturer’s facility after assembly and preliminary commissioning but before packing and shipment.
The test compares the finished equipment with the approved purchase specification. It also confirms that the principal functions can operate under controlled factory conditions.
A FAT normally includes three types of verification:
Document verification checks whether the equipment, components and supplied information match the order.
Functional verification confirms that the mechanical, electrical, CNC, high-pressure and abrasive systems respond as intended.
Performance verification uses an agreed cutting task to evaluate whether the combined system can produce an acceptable result.
The test should be based on measurable requirements wherever practical. Terms such as “high precision,” “good edge” or “stable pressure” are not complete acceptance criteria unless the test conditions and evaluation methods are also defined.
These three activities are related, but they serve different purposes.
The FAT is performed at the manufacturer’s facility before shipment. It focuses on order conformity, system functions, factory commissioning and agreed performance tests.
A pre-shipment inspection confirms that the approved equipment, accessories, documents and spare parts are complete before packing. It may also review preservation, labeling and packaging arrangements.
The site acceptance test, or SAT, takes place after the equipment has been delivered and installed at the buyer’s factory. It verifies installation conditions, local utilities, final calibration, operator readiness and production under the actual site environment.
A successful factory test cannot guarantee correct site performance if the foundation, water supply, electrical power, ambient conditions or installation work do not meet the required conditions. For this reason, the FAT and SAT should be treated as connected but separate stages.
The manufacturer and buyer should approve the test scope before the FAT begins. This prevents disagreements after a sample has already been cut.
The FAT plan should identify:
Machine model and identification number
Approved technical configuration
Working area and axis arrangement
High-pressure system included in the order
Electrical voltage, frequency and phase
Test material and material thickness
Test drawing and revision number
Cutting-head and nozzle configuration
Abrasive type and feed setting
Working pressure used during the trial
Required dimensions and tolerances
Edge-condition requirements
Measurement tools and inspection method
Required operating duration
Safety functions to be tested
Required records and approval responsibilities
Acceptance criteria should reflect the intended production task. A thin demonstration plate does not represent the same operating conditions as a thick slab, brittle tile, laminated material or high-value countertop component.
When the buyer supplies a drawing, the manufacturer should confirm that the drawing contains enough information to create a valid toolpath and inspect the final sample.
The first inspection step is confirming that the equipment presented for testing is the equipment included in the order.
Record the model, serial number and other available identification information. Compare them with the purchase agreement, technical confirmation and approved configuration list.
The inspection should confirm:
Effective cutting area
Machine structure and table arrangement
Number and type of controlled axes
Cutting-head configuration
High-pressure system model
CNC controller
Servo motors and drives
Abrasive vessel and delivery components
Water-treatment equipment, if included
Cooling equipment, if included
Automatic lubrication, if included
Protective components
Electrical specification
Optional accessories
Requested spare-parts package
For a multi-axis system, confirm the actual axis structure rather than relying only on a model name. The approved documents should state which angular movements are available and what production functions the configuration is intended to support.
The FAT should compare the delivered equipment with the approved system configuration, including the axis configuration, working area, pump, cutting head and auxiliary systems.
A visual and mechanical inspection should be completed before high-pressure testing begins. The objective is to identify incomplete assembly, transport risks or conditions that could affect movement and alignment.
Check the frame for visible deformation, incomplete welding, loose fasteners, damaged surfaces or corrosion. Inspect the cutting table, support slats and tank arrangement.
Confirm that the working area is clear and that installed components do not reduce the usable travel unexpectedly.
Where leveling points or foundation connections are provided, their locations should match the installation documents.
Inspect the linear guides, racks, ball screws or other motion components used by the specified design. Confirm that they are clean, properly installed and protected from unnecessary water, abrasive and cutting debris.
Cable carriers should move without pulling, twisting or interfering with other parts. Hoses and cables should have sufficient movement allowance throughout the working range.
Inspect high-pressure tubing, fittings, supports and routing before pressurization. Tubes should not be forced into position, damaged or placed where routine axis movement can create rubbing or repeated bending.
Only trained personnel should inspect or service high-pressure components. Connections must not be loosened while the system is pressurized.
Check lubrication points, oil levels and protective covers. Confirm that guards and covers can be removed for maintenance and reinstalled securely.
Any area requiring regular access should be identified during the test so that future maintenance procedures are clear.
CNC testing should begin without active high pressure. A dry run allows the team to verify movement, coordinates and program logic without unnecessary cutting risk.
Verify that all controlled axes can return to their reference positions correctly. Jog each axis through the permitted travel range and observe the movement for abnormal noise, vibration or interruption.
Confirm:
Reference return
Coordinate display
Positive and negative movement
Travel-limit response
Speed adjustment
Emergency stop during movement
Restart procedure after interruption
The cutting head should maintain suitable clearance from the table, supports and material during the test.
Load the approved test program and confirm that the CNC recognizes the required file or program format.
Perform a dry run with the high-pressure jet disabled. Check the starting point, contour direction, pierce positions, lead-ins, lead-outs, cutting sequence and safe travel between parts.
For drawings containing internal and external profiles, confirm that the sequence reduces unnecessary part movement and collision risk.
Move the machine between selected reference positions several times. If positioning or repeatability is part of the contractual acceptance requirement, use an agreed measurement procedure and calibrated inspection equipment.
Do not infer production accuracy from the CNC display alone. Final part accuracy also depends on nozzle condition, kerf compensation, cutting speed, material behavior, workpiece stability and measurement method.
Where the control supports program recovery, test how it responds to an interrupted cycle. Confirm whether stored programs, parameters and coordinates remain available after a controlled power cycle.
The recovery procedure should be documented so that an operator does not restart at an unsafe or incorrect position.
The high-pressure test should be performed by qualified personnel using the manufacturer’s approved operating and safety procedures.
The goal is not simply to display the highest possible pressure. The test should confirm that the system can reach and maintain the agreed working condition during an actual operating cycle.
Before starting, verify:
Suitable inlet-water supply
Required oil or lubricant levels
Cooling conditions
Closed and secured high-pressure connections
Correct valve positions
Clear working area
Active safety controls
Correct cutting-head installation
The water supply used during the test should meet the applicable requirements for pressure, flow and cleanliness.
Observe how the system starts and builds pressure. The working condition should be evaluated over time rather than from a momentary gauge reading.
Check for:
Unusual delay during pressure build-up
Repeated or excessive pressure fluctuation
Abnormal pump cycling
Visible leakage
Unusual vibration or knocking
Abnormal temperature increase
Unexpected alarms
Irregular jet behavior
Instability when abrasive cutting begins
The report should distinguish between the selected pressure setting and the observed working-pressure behavior during cutting.
Inspect the high-pressure circuit from a safe position. Never use a hand to search for a high-pressure leak.
If leakage, damaged tubing or an abnormal connection is suspected, stop the system, isolate the energy source and confirm complete depressurization before qualified personnel perform any inspection or correction.
A visible leak, unstable connection or unresolved high-pressure alarm should be treated as a shipment-blocking issue.
Verify that the system stops correctly and releases stored pressure according to the approved procedure.
The operator should understand:
Normal stop sequence
Emergency stop response
Pressure-release indication
Safe waiting period
Conditions required before maintenance
Restart procedure after an alarm
The cutting head converts the high-pressure water into the cutting jet. Its condition and alignment directly affect cutting consistency.
Confirm that the installed orifice and mixing tube match the agreed test configuration. Inspect them for visible damage, contamination or incorrect assembly.
The water jet should pass through the mixing tube without obvious contact caused by poor alignment. Premature wear, irregular kerf and unstable cutting can result when these components are damaged or incorrectly aligned.
Check the abrasive vessel, hoses, metering components and feed path. Confirm that the abrasive is dry, suitable for the system and free from contamination that could cause blockage.
During the test, observe whether abrasive delivery:
Starts consistently
Stops correctly
Remains continuous
Responds to the program
Avoids unexpected pulsing
Does not leak from the feed path
Recovers correctly after a controlled interruption
A short successful cut does not prove that abrasive delivery will remain consistent through a longer program. The trial should therefore include enough running time to reveal intermittent feeding problems.
The cutting trial is the most visible part of the FAT, but it is meaningful only when the test conditions are documented.
The selected sample should represent the buyer’s actual work as closely as practical. It should not be chosen only because it is easy to cut.
Record:
Material name and grade, where known
Material thickness
Drawing revision
Part orientation
Nozzle and mixing-tube sizes
Abrasive specification
Abrasive feed setting
Working pressure
Cutting speed or quality setting
Pierce method
Kerf-compensation method
Cutting time
Any manual adjustment made during the trial
A useful test part may include:
An external contour
An internal hole
A straight edge
A curved profile
A corner
A narrow section
A repeated feature
A dimension requiring inspection
For stone, ceramic, quartz, glass or sintered stone, the sample should also allow inspection of edge chipping, corner condition and piercing behavior.
For metal, the sample may be designed to reveal taper, bottom-edge lag, corner washout and dimensional consistency.
The workpiece must remain stable during piercing and cutting. Check that supports, clamps or weights remain outside the programmed path.
Small parts should not be allowed to tilt into the cutting-head path. If micro tabs, cut sequencing or another retention method is used, record it as part of the process.
The test should include program start, piercing, contour cutting, rapid travel, abrasive response, program completion and controlled shutdown.
Record any interruption, alarm, manual intervention or parameter change. A test should not be marked as an unconditional pass if the final sample was achieved only after an unexplained fault or undocumented adjustment.
Sample inspection should follow the acceptance plan created before cutting.
Depending on the drawing, measure applicable features such as:
Overall length and width
Hole diameter
Hole position
Distance between features
Radius
Diagonal difference
Slot width
Profile position
Angular feature
Repeated-part consistency
Use suitable, calibrated measuring tools. Record the actual measured values rather than writing only “qualified” or “accurate.”
The measurement temperature, material condition and inspection method may affect the result when tight tolerances are required.
Examine both the top and bottom of the cut. Relevant observations may include:
Kerf width
Difference between top and bottom dimensions
Edge taper
Verticality
Striation or drag lines
Bottom-edge lag
Corner condition
Surface roughness
Chipping
Delamination
Cracking
Piercing marks
Acceptance should be based on the part’s intended use. A separation cut and a finish-quality cut should not be judged using the same edge expectations.
A FAT result applies to the documented test conditions. It should not be converted into a universal accuracy claim for every material, thickness, speed and geometry.
If a different material or thickness is critical to the buyer, it should be tested separately or included in a later site process-validation plan.
If the ordered system includes angular cutting capability, the FAT should verify more than basic X-Y movement.
Confirm that the cutting head:
Moves through the approved angular range
Returns to its reference orientation
Maintains safe clearance
Avoids collision with material and supports
Follows the programmed angular path
Responds correctly during dry runs
Produces the agreed representative feature
Use a test drawing related to the intended application, such as an angle-compensated contour, bevel, internal opening or 45-degree edge where appropriate.
The final result should be measured using an agreed method. A visual inspection alone may not establish the actual angle or compensation performance.
The FAT should confirm that installed safety functions respond correctly. It is not enough to confirm that an emergency-stop button is present.
Test applicable functions such as:
Emergency stops
Axis travel limits
High-pressure alarms
Low-water or utility alarms
Cooling alarms
Over-temperature protection
Pump shutdown response
CNC fault display
Controlled depressurization
Restart prevention after a fault
Guard or access interlocks, where included
Each emergency-stop station should be activated individually. Confirm that movement and pressure-producing functions reach the intended safe condition.
Alarm messages should be understandable enough for trained operators to identify the affected system. The operating manual should explain the required response to significant faults.
International deliveries require careful verification of the electrical and utility specifications.
Confirm:
Supply voltage
Frequency
Number of phases
Installed electrical capacity
Main connection method
Grounding requirements
Motor and drive compatibility
Control-cabinet labeling
Cable identification
Water inlet requirements
Drainage requirements
Compressed-air requirements, if applicable
Cooling requirements
Recommended workshop conditions
The approved electrical drawings should correspond to the equipment being shipped. Any voltage transformer, stabilizer, chiller or auxiliary equipment included in the order should be identified in the final configuration and packing documents.
A mechanically complete system is not ready for delivery if essential technical information is missing.
The handover package should include applicable items such as:
Operation manual
Maintenance instructions
Electrical drawings
System configuration list
Installation layout
Foundation information
Utility requirements
Consumable-parts list
Recommended spare-parts list
Lubrication information
Alarm and troubleshooting guidance
CNC backup files
Test program and drawing
FAT inspection record
Packing list
Warranty information
Training plan
Service contact information
Part names and numbers should be clear enough for the buyer to order replacements later.
Confirm whether training will be completed at the manufacturer’s factory, remotely or after installation. The responsibilities of the manufacturer, buyer and local service personnel should be documented before shipment.
A structured report makes the FAT more useful for both sides. Each inspection item should have a result, evidence and responsible person.
Use the following result categories:
Pass: The item meets the agreed requirement.
Conditional Pass: The function is acceptable, but a minor correction, document or confirmation is still required.
Fail: The item does not meet the agreed requirement and must be corrected and retested.
Not Applicable: The item is outside the approved configuration or test scope.
For every conditional pass or failure, record:
Issue description
Related requirement
Photograph or video reference
Responsible party
Corrective action
Completion date
Retest result
Final approval
Verbal promises should not replace a written corrective-action record.
Shipment should be paused when an unresolved issue may affect safety, order conformity, installation or production capability.
Examples include:
The machine configuration does not match the approved order.
The working area or axis arrangement is incorrect.
High-pressure leakage is observed.
Pressure remains abnormally unstable.
The CNC cannot execute the agreed program reliably.
Axis movement is abnormal or unsafe.
Emergency stops or critical alarms do not function.
The abrasive feed is repeatedly interrupted.
The representative sample fails the agreed criteria.
The supplied voltage does not match the approved specification.
Required technical drawings are missing or incorrect.
A major corrective action has not been retested.
Packing would conceal or make correction of an unresolved issue difficult.
Minor appearance corrections or supplementary documents may receive a conditional pass when both parties define a completion method and verification deadline. Safety, high-pressure integrity and essential functional failures should not be treated as minor exceptions.
Before shipment approval, confirm that:
The equipment matches the approved configuration.
Model and identification information are recorded.
Mechanical assembly is complete.
Cables, hoses and tubing are routed correctly.
All axes home and move normally.
The CNC loads and executes the approved program.
Dry-run clearance has been checked.
The high-pressure system operates without abnormal leakage.
Working-pressure behavior has been observed under load.
The cutting head and abrasive feed operate consistently.
The representative cutting trial has been completed.
Sample dimensions and edge conditions have been recorded.
Multi-axis functions have been tested when included.
Emergency stops and alarms respond correctly.
Electrical and utility requirements are confirmed.
Manuals, drawings and spare-parts information are complete.
Open issues have corrective-action records.
Failed items have been corrected and retested.
Final approval is documented before packing.
A waterjet factory acceptance test is a documented inspection performed at the manufacturer’s facility before shipment. It verifies order conformity, mechanical and electrical functions, CNC operation, high-pressure performance, abrasive delivery, cutting results, safety response and required documents.
The FAT should be performed after assembly and preliminary commissioning are complete but before the equipment is packed. The system should be sufficiently complete to test the functions included in the approved order.
The buyer should provide material when a specific grade, thickness or product is critical and is not reliably available at the manufacturer’s location. If substitute material is used, both parties should agree in advance on what the test can and cannot prove.
A live or recorded video inspection can verify many visible functions when the buyer cannot attend in person. However, the video should show equipment identification, continuous operation, pressure behavior, CNC screens, the complete cutting cycle, sample measurements and unresolved issues. A collection of edited promotional clips is not equivalent to a documented FAT.
The required time depends on the system configuration and test scope. A basic inspection may be completed within one working day, while a multi-axis configuration, multiple cutting trials or an extended operating test may require more time. Completion should be determined by the approved checklist rather than a fixed duration.
The preferred material is one that represents the buyer’s principal application. Material type, thickness, size and quality should be documented. If several applications are critical, more than one trial may be necessary.
The report should include machine identification, configuration verification, test conditions, checklist results, photographs, videos, sample measurements, alarm tests, issue records, corrective actions, retest results and final approval.
The FAT is performed before shipment at the manufacturer’s facility. The SAT is performed after installation at the buyer’s site. The SAT confirms local utilities, installation, calibration, training and performance under actual factory conditions.
Shipment may proceed after a conditional pass only when the remaining item is minor, does not affect safety or essential operation, and has a documented completion and verification plan. High-pressure leakage, failed safety functions, incorrect configuration and unsuccessful critical cutting tests should be corrected before shipment.
No. A successful FAT confirms performance under the recorded test conditions. Cutting results can change with material grade, thickness, nozzle wear, abrasive quality, water condition, parameter selection, fixturing and maintenance. New production tasks should be validated with an appropriate first-part inspection.
A waterjet factory acceptance test should convert the purchase specification into observable and measurable checks. The most useful FAT records what was tested, how it was tested, what result was obtained and how any problem was resolved.
Configuration verification, high-pressure inspection, CNC testing and a representative cutting trial should be completed before shipment approval. This process helps both the buyer and manufacturer identify issues early, establish a clear technical record and prepare for installation and site acceptance.
Yongtao Machinery conducts equipment inspection, functional testing and cutting trials according to the confirmed configuration and application requirements. Buyers may provide material information, drawings and acceptance priorities before testing so that the FAT can reflect the intended production task.
This guide was reviewed by the Yongtao Machinery technical team based on equipment assembly, commissioning, cutting trials and pre-shipment inspection experience. Final acceptance criteria should be defined by the approved contract, technical agreement, test material, drawing and measurement method.
0086-18665475362
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Road 3, Wuzhuang Xiaofengtian Ind. Zone, Luocun Town, Nanhai Dist., Foshan, Guangdong, China
0086-18665475362 
[email protected]
Road 3, Wuzhuang Xiaofengtian Ind. Zone, Luocun Town, Nanhai Dist., Foshan, Guangdong, China 
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