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CT scanning can be used to perform permeability testing to predict vapor or moisture pass-through and measure loss- of-content and shelf-life. This is particularly important in applications like container manufacturing. As container walls get thinner it is important to ensure that they are not so thin that contents are lost through leakage or evaporation, reducing shelf life. Molders of bottle tops for liquids, who need to test for sealing and leakage, can also benefit significantly by using CT scanning. The technology can help deliver cost savings by helping to determine the amount of plastic material being consumed. The thinner the bottle— without leaks yet durable enough for the application—the greater the savings in material. CT provides the ability to look at overall wall thicknesses of a container, all in one scan. Today, more plastics recycling is being done to save on costs, and CT can be used to analyze how many times plastic can be recycled without losing its integrity. MEETING FDA REQUIREMENTS To deal with possible litigation or other regulatory matters, the FDA requires pro- ducers of medical products to hold a "first- shot sample" for seven years. The problem is that storing physical parts can require large amounts of space and create a variety of logistical problems. In addition, saved parts can change shape over time. CT scanning provides an unchanging "thumb print" at the time of molding and pro- cessing the part. Currently, there are dis- cussions with the FDA about the benefits ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Barry Rogers recently retired as v.p. of global sales at Haas Automation, a leading builder of machine tools. He has been director of global sales and marketing for Sunnen Products, national sales and marketing manager for Renishaw North America, and general manager of Cincinnati Milacron's LK CMM div. in Detroit. Rogers recently founded Alpha Strategies, a Chicago-based consulting firm, and is a frequent contributor to TECHSPEX on-line magazine. He also serves as a CT product-management consultant at Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology LLC, Maple Grove, Minn. Contact: metrology@zeiss.com; zeiss.com/ct. CT x-ray machines like this Zeiss Metrotom system can quickly compare actual measurements of entire components or assemblies with references, graphically highlighting any variances. At Athena, we know you need to operate your hot runner systems with a surgeon's precision for best results. That's why we engineer products like BEDROS ™ . Compact. Robust. With more functionality than standard medium-sized multizone runnerless controls. You get 8 to 64 zones of control with up to 15 amps/zone, expanded mold storage capabilities, and an easy-to-use fully featured touch screen. Upgrade to Athena. Get the hot runner controls you need for every challenge. Order BEDROS direct from Athena. Act now to SAVE 10%. 1.800.782.6776 • www.athenacontrols.com A higher level of control Move up to a higher level of control N OW P URCHASE O NLINE of saving data files with complete part information rather than the parts themselves. In addition, a modern CT scanning system can generate a variety of FDA-required paper- work, including data on system installation, qualification, and calibration. @plastechmag 61 Plastics Technology D E S C R I P T I O N