Buyers compare ex-works dates and then lose a month on a drawing that was never signed. Put the clock on paper before you compare suppliers.
A sequence you can put on one page
| Step | What moves | What waits |
|---|---|---|
| Inquiry | Model shortlist | No lead-time clock |
| Signed cup and mold drawing | Cavities and depth freeze | Build can be scheduled |
| 35–45 working days | Machine build in Shantou | Your floor, power, and air |
| FAT | Run on the agreed resin if you sent it | Do not ship on a verbal “it looked fine” |
| Sea and truck | Not inside the 35–45 days | Crane and door size at your site |
| Installation | Engineers, training, first good cups | Utilities live, not “next week” |
Standard supply is 380V/50Hz. If the hall is 60Hz, that choice is made before FAT, not during it. Air at the machine should already be in the 2.5–4.0 m³/min discussion, with a dryer if you form PET. The quote should say whether installation days are included or priced as a visit.
What “ready” means on arrival
The crate fits through the door you measured, the transformer is live, and the chiller makes water at the temperature on the utility list. A former that sits six weeks waiting for a compressor is not a late machine. It is a late building. Send the layout when you send the quotation pack.
Dates worth writing down
- Drawing sign-off date you can actually meet
- Resin you will ship for FAT, or “your trial resin”
- Destination port and who clears the container
- Door width, floor load, and crane
- Voltage already in the hall
- Names of the operators who will be trained
Frequently asked questions
Does 35–45 days include the mold?
It is the machine lead time after confirmation. A new multi-cavity mold is on the same critical path and does not start until the cup drawing is signed. Ask which drawing the clock uses.
Can FAT use our resin?
Yes if you ship enough material to Shantou for the agreed trial. A trial on a substitute resin only proves the machine cycles, not your gram weight.
What must be ready before engineers fly?
380V connected, dry air in the 2.5–4.0 m³/min class, cooling water, a path for the crate, and people who will stay for training. A hotel booking is not a commissioning plan.
What warranty is standard?
12 months on mechanical and electrical components from the terms stated with the machine. It does not cover a mold run on the wrong resin or a compressor you did not install.