Industrial CT Scanning for CPGs: Non-Destructive Design Validation & Quality Inspection

‍Computed tomography or CT scanning for consumer-packaged goods (CPGs) relies on non-destructive X-ray technology to overcome challenges in design and manufacturing. It can cover a host of packaging inspection needs from assembly checks and seal reliability to internal features or defects. CT adds a layer of visibility beyond what traditional inspection methods can offer. As the Nel PreTech saying goes, Seeing is Better Than Believing.

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I. CPG Materials Suitable for CT Inspection

Plastics specific to packaging containers are rigid and categorized as:

HDPE (High-density Polyethylene)

·  Food containers

·  Milk or juice cartons

·  Bottle caps

·  Hair care bottles

·  Cleaning product containers

·  Pharmaceuticals

PET  or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

·  Beverage bottles

·  Peanut butter jars

·  Personal care items

·  Household products

Another common packaging material is Aluminum, often found in the beverage industry. It can also be used as a barrier protector for other mainstream products. Glass is often a preferred packaging solution due to the ability to recycle without degradation. 

More modern materials are gaining traction as demand increases globally for safety and freshness. From bottles, caps, blister packs, and squeeze tubes to multi-layer packaging, plastics, and foils, CT scanning offers an excellent approach to quality analysis and visualization. The importance of shelf-life and supply chain traceability means CT is rapidly being employed to improve or verify the integrity of these materials or components.

II. Common CPG Challenges in Design & Manufacturing

By strategic collaborations with labs like Nel PreTech Corporation, companies in the CPG industry can leverage innovative inspection solutions and expertise when it comes to their packaging. These kinds of partnerships will allow for data-driven decision making. CT scanning is a proactive approach to dialing in packaging production and design.

CPG manufacturers face challenges like:

·  Consumer preference: A design challenge when faced with eco-friendly, healthier demand in packaging

·  Consistency in product: Developing unique product lines while maintaining consistent reliability

·  Speed to market: Pressure to boost earnings quickly and achieve sustainable growth

·  Regulation compliance: Fines and recalls if quality cannot be maintained

·  Quality control: A necessity before scaling up production or evaluating current lines

CPG designers and manufacturers also face these challenges:

·  Warping, shrinkage, and voids

·  Inconsistent wall thickness

·  Seal or closure misalignment

·  Embedded component malfunctions

III. How Industrial CT Scanning Works for CPG Applications

Industrial CT for packaging provides full-3D, volumetric imaging non-destructively. High-resolution CT scans are also capable of showing internal and external features simultaneously. It works with an X-ray source, 360-degree rotating sample table, and X-ray detector to capture the 2D data. The captured 2D data is transformed into a 3D dataset using specialized algorithms.

CT for CPG applications:

·  Dimensional data with micron-level resolution

·  Internal defect detection of porosity, inclusions, or delamination

·  Reverse engineering and digital assembly verification

·  Troubleshooting and root cause analysis

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IV. Use Cases for CT Scanning in CPGs

·   Design Validation: Confirm CAD match, wall thickness analysis, and part symmetry

·   Seal & Closure Inspection: Verify interlocking components, child-proof features, or tamper-evident designs

·   Multi-Component Assemblies: Scan as-assembled packaging to check internal alignment or voids

·   Material Analysis: Layer bonding, internal stress points, or microstructural features

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V. Why Choose Nel PreTech for CPG CT Scanning?

Nel PreTech’s industrial CT scanning is accredited to ISO-IEC 17025 by A2LA. This is an added layer of confidence and supports regulatory compliance. Work with a lab that has decades of dimensional inspection service experience in polymers, composites, and multi-layer consumer materials. In addition to experience, using cutting-edge, reliable technology should be top of mind. Our high-resolution CT systems provide detailed imaging beyond the capabilities of traditional measurement systems. Expect fast turnaround times and expert reporting for your manufacturing teams.

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VI. Getting Started

Fill out a request for quote or call to discuss your project details. You can count on us to consult with you before, during, and after the project is complete. Scans and reports are delivered in easy-to-disseminate formats to your teams.

Get a free quote for your CPG project.

Talk to our experts about optimizing your packaging design with CT scanning.

VII. CT For Your Inspection Workflow

Industrial CT scanning brings clarity and visualization to the design and inspection of consumer packaging. Uncover internal flaws and verify complex assemblies without disassembly. CT provides the precise, non-destructive insights today’s packaging engineers and quality teams rely on to meet performance and compliance standards.

If you're troubleshooting a sealing issue, validating a multi-part plastic assembly, or seeking dimensional accuracy beyond surface-level checks, CT scanning from Nel PreTech paints a complete picture.

Looking to elevate your inspection capabilities? Nel PreTech combines high-resolution CT technology with expert analysis. We deliver fast, actionable results that help keep your production on track.

Get in touch for a free quote or learn how CT scanning can streamline your next CPG project.

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