Most of the problems experienced with extrusion equipment bought from Chinese manufacturers stem not from build quality but from gaps in the technical specification attached to the contract. A manufacturer is not obliged to deliver anything the specification does not require — and is right not to. The eight gaps below are the ones we encounter most often in the field.
1. The unit of capacity is missing
"A 2,500 ton press" is not a binding statement on its own. US tons, metric tonnes and MN are different quantities. The specification must state the unit, the nominal/maximum distinction and the measurement condition.
2. Electrical and site conditions undefined
If voltage, frequency, phase count, short-circuit capacity and earthing arrangement are not written down, the equipment arrives built to its domestic standard. A panel delivered to Türkiye in anything other than a 380 V / 50 Hz configuration means transformer and rewiring cost on site.
The same applies to environmental conditions: ambient temperature range, altitude, cooling water temperature and hardness, compressed air quality.
3. CE and declaration of conformity not written into the contract
If the machine will be used in Türkiye or in a plant exporting to the EU, conformity with the relevant directives and the technical file must be requested explicitly in the contract. A verbal "it has CE" is not sufficient; the specification must state who owns the technical file, the risk assessment and the declaration of conformity.
4. Software, PLC and licence status unclear
You do not need the source code of the automation software, but you do need parameter access, user levels and passwords. Otherwise you remain dependent on the manufacturer for every minor adjustment. PLC and HMI brand, version, language support and licence ownership belong in the specification.
5. FAT criteria not quantified
The sentence "a factory acceptance test will be performed" means nothing by itself. Which test, at what load, over how many cycles, within what tolerance and witnessed by whom must be written down. What happens if the FAT is not accepted — correction period, delay compensation — belongs in the same document.
6. Spare parts and service scope not defined
Commissioning duration, how many engineers will travel, responsibility for visas and accommodation, warranty period and what falls outside it must all be clear. A critical spare parts list with committed lead times belongs in an annex to the contract.
7. Documentation language unspecified
In which language will electrical diagrams, hydraulic circuit drawings, maintenance manuals and parts lists be delivered? A drawing set supplied only in Chinese is unusable for your maintenance team on site.
8. Payment terms not tied to FAT
When the payment schedule is not linked to technical milestones, the only leverage you hold disappears. A payment instalment tied to FAT approval before shipment resolves most technical disputes before they travel to your site.
Where ADA TRUSTAR fits
Every one of these gaps can be closed with a written technical specification before the order is placed. ADA TRUSTAR prepares the specification, compares offers on a common basis, attends the FAT in China, and follows installation and commissioning in Türkiye. The aim is to resolve technical risk at the contract stage — not on the shop floor.
Frequently asked
Why is ordering without a specification risky?
A manufacturer commits only to what is requested in writing. Voltage, language, FAT tolerance or spare-part obligations left out of the specification return later as additional cost.
Is attending the FAT really necessary?
Yes. Resolving a dispute before shipment is both faster and far cheaper than resolving it after the equipment has reached your site.
Can a CE declaration be required from the manufacturer?
It should be. But the technical file and risk assessment must also be defined in the contract alongside the declaration.
Last reviewed: 08.2026