Nel PreTech Expands Defense Capabilities with FFL 07 Upgrade

Introduction — A New Level of Access and Capability

We’re pleased to announce that as of October 2025, Nel PreTech upgraded from a series 01 Federal Firearm License to a series 07 FFL. This allows us to receive, handle, test, and return firearm components previously restricted under Illinois and federal law. Why does this matter to our clients? It allows us to expand our range of firearm component inspection to a broader scope. We will now be able to perform 3D and CT scanning on automatic weapons, suppressors, and other military-grade systems legally and securely. A deeper service line will better support this regulated manufacturing sector.

Why We Needed the FFL 07 — Navigating Illinois Law and Federal Restrictions

Under the Type 01 FFL license and Illinois firearms regulations, Nel PreTech was limited to the inspection of semi-automatic and civilian-classified firearms. Under the IL and federal rules, we were not allowed to transfer, ship, or possess fully-automatic weapons, suppressors, or military-grade arms. This limited our abilities to help defense manufacturers, military contractors, and firearm OEMs with advanced 3D scanning and analysis needs. Now, with the Nel PreTech FFL 07 upgrade, we can legally handle, store,  and ship these restricted parts for non-destructive testing, CT scanning, and dimensional inspection.

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What the FFL 07 License Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

Nel PreTech’s compliance with ATF regulations, secure storage, traceable workflows, and controlled handling processes ensures that all testing aligns with state and federal law. The scope of the FFL 07 license covers additional regulations for manufacturing, but we are only highlighting rules related to our services. See the chart below for a comparison of FFL 07 vs FFL 01.

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Why This Matters to Defense Manufacturers and Engineers

Nel PreTech Corporation is already accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by A2LA, our technicians are trained in industrial CT scanning of small-arms components, and now federally licensed for military-grade materials. If you enter into a partnership with us, you can be certain your complex assemblies and weapon systems will be inspected by a team dedicated to precision, accuracy, and regulatory compliance. 

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Here are some additional benefits to the FFL 07 firearms testing license:

• Broader testing capability: Engineers can now send restricted components for non-destructive CT scanning without legal roadblocks.
  
  
• Accelerated R&D: Prototype and validation testing for military weapons platforms can move faster with immediate access to inspection.
  
  
• Regulatory peace of mind: Every firearm component you send for testing is handled under ATF and Illinois compliance, ensuring traceable, lawful transfer.
  
  
• Confidentiality & precision: Nel PreTech’s scanning provides sub-micron-level accuracy while maintaining secure data protocols for defense projects.

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The Nel PreTech Difference — Compliance Meets Capability

Our lab uses a wide range of CT scanners and 3D scanners to provide imaging services ranging from 130Kv to 9 MeV in power. Lower-energy, micro-focus scanners can detect defects as small as 10um. If you are a defense engineer seeking compliant partners for military-grade weapon inspection, you’ll find that we provide unique value. Our advanced scanning capabilities and FFL 07 compliance are supported by ITAR compliance, ISO/IEC accreditation, metrology-grade precision, and stand-out expertise most labs can’t match. We have protocols in place that go beyond the scope of our accreditation for added confidence in our data. In other words, you will be in good hands.

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What Clients Should Expect

Initial quoting is handled quickly, and intake and coordination with our engineering team is streamlined. Product details are logged, and shipments are tracked in compliance with ATF, federal, and state laws. Options to expedite are also available.

Deliverables for your consideration:

• Porosity mapping
• Assembly analysis
• Geometric dimensioning & tolerance verification
• First-article inspection (FAI)
• Colormap analysis
• Reverse engineering
• Wall-thickness analysis
• 3D metrology
• And much more!

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Closing — Supporting the Defense Industry with Confidence

Now that Nel PreTech is licensed to handle military-grade firearms and components for testing and inspection, we’re committed to bringing new opportunities to defense manufacturers, engineers, and quality professionals. Let us be your trusted partner in precision, compliance, and innovation.

If your project involves restricted or military-grade firearm components that require high-precision, non-destructive inspection, contact Nel PreTech Corporation at (708) 429-4887 or visit nelpretech.com to schedule a confidential consultation.