Direct answer
Ask questions that turn sales claims into measurable scope and evidence. Focus on the hardest product and pack, sustained good output, format coverage, exclusions, site responsibilities, controls, safeguards, testing, support and what happens if the machine does not meet acceptance.
Key takeaways
- Ask how the proposed process handles your actual materials.
- Ask for sustained performance and quality definitions.
- Ask what support exists after acceptance.
- Ask who owns every interface and site task.
Define the requirement before comparing price
A useful supplier should explain the operating principle, limits and why it suits the product and pack. Ask what samples were reviewed, what assumptions remain and which condition is expected to be the hardest.
- Which product and pack samples have been tested?
- What range is included without extra change parts?
- What limits apply to temperature, viscosity, dust or dimensions?
- What information could change the proposal?
Compare the complete installed solution
Clarify the difference between maximum cycle rate and accepted production output. Define how accuracy, torque, seal, label position, code quality and rejection will be measured.
- What good output is guaranteed and for how long?
- What normal stops and interventions are allowed?
- What measurement equipment and sampling plan will be used?
- How are failed packs detected and handled?
Remove hidden cost and performance risk
Responsibility gaps appear around conveyors, controls, power, air, extraction, network connections, unloading, positioning and safety integration. Ask for a responsibility matrix rather than relying on assumptions.
- Who is the overall integrator?
- Who completes the final risk assessment and validation?
- Who provides utilities and building work?
- Who backs up software and manages remote access?
Ask for evidence before committing
Review training, manuals, spares, response process, warranty exclusions, service capability and the expected life of controls. Ask for references only where the application is genuinely comparable.
- What critical spares are recommended?
- What remote and site response is available?
- How are software and recipes backed up?
- What is the escalation path for unresolved performance?
Comparison table
| Decision area | What to compare | Evidence to request |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Ask how the proposed process handles your actual materials. | Ask what support exists after acceptance. |
| Performance | Ask for sustained performance and quality definitions. | A sustained trial with good-pack counts |
| Ownership | Ask who owns every interface and site task. | Itemised installation, spares and support scope |
| Acceptance | Ask what support exists after acceptance. | Written FAT and SAT pass criteria |
Free working templates
Download these files and adapt them to the actual machine, product, site and acceptance plan.
Related buyer guides and tools
Relevant machinery and support routes
Use the guide to define the requirement, then compare the specialist routes below against representative product, packaging and output evidence.