Sample quality shows what a factory can do once; a vetting questionnaire shows what it will do repeatedly. These questions separate organized factories from improvised ones.
Litter box production adds an electronics layer to ordinary molding, and the vetting questions split along that seam. The plastic half asks about molding, finishing and assembly; the electronics half asks about module sourcing, integration and firmware discipline. A factory strong in one half is common; a program needs both answers in writing from the same roof or a clear statement of who owns which half.
| Area | Questions to ask | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Molding capability | Tonnage range, part sizes, texture and two-shot capability | Everything answered yes without detail |
| Electronics integration | Are modules bought to a named spec; who programs and tests the boards | Electronics described only as a module in a box |
| Firmware and app | Who owns the code and the cloud; how updates are validated | No written update policy |
| Quality system | Incoming, in-process and final checks; who signs the final report | QC described only as a final look |
| EOL testing | How many units are powered and cycled before packing | Sampling that skips function tests |
| Compliance | Which reports exist per component; which labs; who pays for retests | Reports without scope or dates |
| Capacity | Lines, current lead times, seasonal peaks, holiday closures | Lead times quoted without a season |
| Change control | How resin, module or firmware changes are proposed and approved | Changes happen silently |
| Spares and service | Parts availability after end of production; priced parts list | No parts commitment in writing |
Answers earn trust through documents: a dated photo of the assembly line, a blank final-inspection checklist, one redacted test report, and the end-of-line test procedure for powered units. For smart models, ask which stages the firmware goes through between development and the version shipped on your order; the answer distinguishes factories with a release process from factories with a laptop. Our sample testing protocol then verifies the behavior on the bench, where claims become observations.
Combine the vetting results with the commercial comparison from the RFQ round. The vetting file also feeds the warranty conversation, since parts availability and service commitments belong in the same supplier agreement, per the warranty guide.
Send your mechanism type, capacity and certification need — we match a verified factory and return a consolidated quotation.
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