Frequently Asked Question

What is FAT in mold qualification?

FAT, or Factory Acceptance Testing, is the formal verification process conducted at the toolmaker's facility to ensure that the mold meets all agreed-upon engineering specifications and performance criteria before it is shipped to the production site. This procedure involves dry cycling the mold, verifying dimensional accuracy of test shots, and ensuring all auxiliary systems, such as hot runner controls and cooling circuits, operate within defined limits. Successful completion of FAT confirms that the asset has achieved its design intent and is ready for transition to the final manufacturing environment. It acts as a critical quality gate, preventing the installation of defective or incomplete tooling. Documentation generated during FAT provides the baseline data necessary for ongoing maintenance and future qualification steps. For a deeper explanation, see: Tooling Qualification Management: FAT, SAT, Validation, and Production Readiness.