The intended cup position can fall across tape on some incoming boxes. The supplier has not stated whether that is permitted. Their demo does not show the final release into a lane either.

I'd start by photographing the actual contact areas on identified incoming examples and sending those with the filled samples. Not because photographs prove suction performance, but because they stop the next demonstration drifting back to whichever lovely smooth box is nearest the bench. Ask what variation they will accept or exclude before the trial, and involve packing if their answer requires a change to the cartons.

Nina, agreed. Any required preparation belongs in the process scope too. The operator should not discover during handover that making a tape-free pickup patch is now their job, with no time or materials allowed for it.

Packing is providing the present range without modifying it. We've asked the supplier to identify proposed cup locations and exclusions, and to include release. No alternative carton preparation agreed.

Thanks for making that explicit. Does the sample selection include the awkward closures from normal supply, not only damaged boxes somebody saved for a worst-case demonstration? Both the everyday variation and any defined reject condition matter.

Yes, ordinary packed examples with normal closure variation. We are not using damaged boxes as a stand-in for all difficult surfaces. The assessment has not returned, so concept acceptance remains open.