Morgan Polymer Seals adds MAGIC to gasket manufacturing

SAN DIEGO, Calif.—Dependability and quality don't just happen. It takes a little bit of magic to get things just right.

Morgan Polymer Seals has built its reputation on its Zero PPM goal—that is, zero defective parts per million. To achieve that aim, the company has brought a little bit of in-house MAGIC—Morgan Automated Gasket Inspection Control—into its manufacturing process.

"We wanted inspection capabilities beyond what a 'stock' vision inspection machine could offer," Leonardo Meza, Morgan Polymer Seals' engineering and automation coordinator, said in an email interview. "In addition to the expectation of zero defects, automotive sealing programs are typically high volume, requiring a high-speed solution that could inspect several parts per second. Automation is the best way to achieve this."

By leaning into in-house resources, Morgan Polymer Seals can develop and tailor inspection solutions to meet its quality standard needs. Moreover, the solutions provide the company with flexibility and cost savings. By working in-house to develop its inspection machines, Morgan Polymer Seals ensures that it can reduce maintenance costs with "immediate on-site technical support" and can also increase its time to market for new applications and proprietary programs.

To achieve this, Meza said, the machines can be programmed to ensure that every seal and gasket design gets exactly the kind of thorough inspection in needs.

"Our engineers' rubber molding experience has helped us create a truly unique set of inspection capabilities," Meza said. "From the integration between vision equipment, to the focused optics and efficient material handling. We have the experience to determine which programs can most benefit from automated vision inspection."

It typically takes just three months to bring the inspection machine concept from an idea to integral part of the manufacturing process.

Morgan Polymer Seals, at present, has seven custom vision inspection machines. Most recently, it tailored the technology for the manufacturing of a filler plate for a transmission electro-hydraulic control module on Volkswagen vehicles produced in Europe and Asia.

"We have seven custom vision inspection machines, and the applications are unlimited," Meza said. "We are pushing the boundaries to carry this technology over to our lower volume applications.

"Our global OEM customers rely on us because we deliver quality parts on time. Our MAGIC machines are a great example of how we pair the best possible people with the best possible tools and technology to guarantee quality."