Supplier questions

What should you ask a bottle unscrambler supplier before ordering?

A procurement and engineering checklist covering bottles, output evidence, change parts, controls, testing, documentation and supplier responsibilities.

Direct answer

The practical answer in brief.

Ask the supplier to explain the recommended route against the actual bottle set, show how the quoted output will be evidenced, define changeover and line-interface scope, and state what remains the buyer’s responsibility. The strongest answer is tied to samples, drawings, recorded tests and an agreed handover point. Generic assurances about speed or versatility should not replace a written technical scope.

Technical guidance

Questions about bottle suitability

Which samples were reviewed?

Ask the supplier to identify every bottle used for the recommendation and any formats not yet tested.

What is the worst-case bottle?

Agree which format defines stability, orientation, scuffing or changeover risk.

What presentation is guaranteed at the handover?

State whether bottles are simply accumulated, singulated, upright or oriented to a feature.

What limitations remain?

Request a written list of untested conditions, excluded bottle formats and assumptions.

Technical guidance

Questions about project delivery

What is included in the machine scope?

Separate the machine from loading equipment, conveyor, guarding, controls changes, installation and training.

How is changeover supplied?

List dedicated parts, adjustable settings, tools, storage and the expected operator sequence.

What test evidence will be provided?

Agree samples, run conditions, videos, event logs, settings, FAT records and open-item closure.

What support information is included?

Confirm manuals, drawings, I/O, utilities, spares, maintenance and support contacts.

Decision aid

Quotation comparison schedule

Quotation comparison schedule
Area	Supplier response needed	Buyer evidence to provide
Bottle set	Confirmed formats, exclusions and trial status	Samples, drawings, production variation and surface requirements
Output	Definition, test point, conditions and permitted intervention	Sustained line demand and downstream stop-start pattern
Machine scope	Included loading, outfeed, guides, guarding and controls	Existing equipment to retain and line boundary
Changeover	Parts, adjustments, sequence and settings record	Format frequency and acceptable change time
Acceptance	FAT/SAT scope, evidence and action closure	Named witnesses, acceptance criteria and site readiness
Support	Documents, spares, installation, commissioning and training	Site contacts, access, utilities and production availability

Buyer questions

Questions to resolve before the route is accepted.

Can the supplier prove the exact bottle set has been reviewed?

The supplier should identify the sample bottles, drawings or photographs used for selection and state whether the recommendation is trialled, calculated or based on a similar application. The buyer should not assume that one bottle proves the full range. A sample register with clear IDs prevents later disagreement about which formats were included.

Untested bottles should be listed as an open condition rather than implied to be covered.

What evidence supports the quoted output?

Ask where the output is measured, which bottle and machine configuration were used, how long the run lasted, what downstream condition was simulated and which interventions were permitted. Published figures can help shortlist a route, but project acceptance needs evidence tied to the actual bottle and handover point.

Use the FAT and SAT guide to define the proof.

What is included for changeover and change parts?

The quotation should distinguish included change parts, optional parts, adjustable settings and tools. It should also state how settings are recorded, where parts are stored and which bottle formats require dedicated components. A machine that runs several bottles during a trial may still need an impractical changeover unless the sequence is demonstrated.

Request a settings sheet and parts list for the agreed formats.

Who owns the conveyor, controls, guarding and installation interfaces?

The quotation should name the party responsible for each mechanical, electrical, controls and safety boundary. Define who supplies conveyors, guide rails, cables, field devices, software changes, guarding modifications, installation labour, commissioning and complete-line validation. Gaps between packages are a common source of delay and unplanned cost.

The site-survey guide helps expose those interfaces early.

Related guidance

Send the bottle and line details for a practical shortlist.

Use the existing enquiry route with bottle dimensions, photographs or samples, target sustained output, downstream machinery and available layout information.

Request a bottle unscrambler shortlist