Automation Equipment Supplier Visit China | Factory Validation Checklist

Why visit

A factory visit reveals whether the supplier can execute the project you are about to buy.

Automation projects carry more execution risk than standard product sourcing. The supplier must understand your process, engineer fixtures and controls, test the machine, support installation, and solve unexpected production issues. A visit helps you see whether the supplier is a real engineering organization or mainly a sales channel.

A strong visit is not a showroom tour. It is a structured technical review of engineering, production, assembly, controls, testing, documentation, service, and management ownership.

Suggested one-day automation supplier visit agenda

Project review

Review your RFQ, supplier assumptions, proposed layout, process flow, and technical risk list.

Engineering review

Meet mechanical, electrical, software, vision, and project management owners where possible.

Factory walk

Inspect assembly floor, control cabinet build, machining or outsourcing, test area, and active projects.

Reference equipment

Review similar machines, videos, customer examples, test records, and installed equipment evidence.

Commercial review

Close on scope gaps, FAT plan, payment milestones, warranty, spare parts, installation, and support.

Automation supplier visit checklist

Area	What to inspect	Evidence to request
Engineering	Mechanical design, controls design, robot programming, vision capability, safety design, project management.	Organization chart, example drawings, I/O list, electrical diagrams, risk list, project schedule.
Manufacturing	Assembly floor, control cabinets, machining, outsourcing control, incoming parts, work-in-process discipline.	Active build examples, inspection records, supplier list for critical parts, assembly checklists.
Comparable projects	Similar machines, relevant industry experience, installed equipment, cycle-time proof, known limitations.	Videos, customer references, sample FAT reports, before-and-after line data where available.
Controls and safety	PLC/HMI architecture, safety relay or safety PLC, E-stop zones, guarding, interlocks, remote access, backups.	Controls bill of materials, software backup policy, safety logic explanation, alarm list.
FAT readiness	Test plan, sample requirements, test duration, acceptance criteria, punch-list process, video evidence.	Written FAT checklist, sample quantity request, pass/fail limits, responsibility matrix.
After-sales support	Installation model, training, spare parts, warranty, documentation, remote support, local partner options.	Spare parts list, manual sample, warranty terms, service escalation contacts.

Questions to ask during the supplier visit

Which parts of the project are proven, and which parts require new engineering?
What assumptions did you make in the quote that are not yet confirmed?
What are the top three technical risks, and how will they be tested before shipment?
Who is responsible for mechanical design, PLC, HMI, robot programming, vision, safety, and commissioning?
What samples are required for debugging and FAT?
How will the machine recover from faults, jams, dropped parts, bad scans, or emergency stops?
What files and documentation will we receive after final payment?
How will warranty support work across time zones?

How Automate China supports supplier visits

We help prepare the visit agenda, technical question list, supplier scorecard, translation support, factory route, and post-visit comparison. For automation projects, we focus the visit on evidence: engineering depth, active builds, comparable projects, FAT plan, controls quality, and after-sales readiness.

FAQ

Supplier visit questions.

Should I visit before paying a deposit?

For high-value custom automation, visiting before deposit is often wise if budget and timing allow. If travel is not possible, a structured video audit and reference equipment review can still reduce risk.

How many suppliers should I visit in China?

For a serious project, two to four well-qualified suppliers is usually better than a long list of weak candidates. The shortlist should be filtered before travel.

Can you attend supplier visits with us?

Yes. We can help plan the visit, join technical discussions, translate, document findings, and compare suppliers afterward.

What should I bring to the visit?

Bring product samples if possible, drawings, current process videos, target output, quality standards, plant standards, layout constraints, and a draft FAT checklist.

Visit planning

Planning an automation supplier visit in China?

Tell us which suppliers you are considering, the equipment scope, your timing, and what you need to verify. We will suggest a practical visit and validation plan.