Packaging engineering

Packaging engineering, also package engineering, packaging technology and packaging science, is a broad topic ranging from design conceptualization to product placement. All steps along the manufacturing process, and more, must be taken into account in the design of the package for any given product. Package engineering includes industry-specific aspects of industrial engineering, marketing, materials science, industrial design and logistics. Packaging engineers must interact with research and development, manufacturing, marketing, graphic design, regulatory, purchasing, planning and so on. The package must sell and protect the product, while maintaining an efficient, cost-effective process cycle.

Engineers develop packages from a wide variety of rigid and flexible materials. Some materials have scores or creases to allow controlled folding into package shapes (sometimes resembling origami). Packaging involves extrusion, thermoforming, molding and other processing technologies. Packages are often developed for high speed fabrication, filling, processing, and shipment. Packaging engineers use principles of structural analysis and thermal analysis in their evaluations.

Contract Packaging Engineering also known as Staffing Packaging Engineering, is a broad subgroup within the Packaging Engineering Field. Contract Packaging Engineers typically work under the jurisdiction of a written legal arrangement between a company and the engineer or consulting company. Contrary to a full-time engineer, Contract Packaging Engineers work per project and/or predetermined time stated within the contract. Companies typically hire Contract Packaging Engineers for at least one of the three reasons listed below:

Packaging Engineering Consultants, similar to Contract Packaging Engineers, are individuals with high level expertise and experience in a packaging engineering area who are hired to manage projects, develop new processes and evolve products.

Some packaging engineers have backgrounds in other science, engineering, or design disciplines while some have college degrees specializing in this field.

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