For OEMs with demanding programs, customization can extend well beyond the rubber part itself; requiring production equipment developed around the realities of manufacturing.
Soucy Baron combines its deep expertise in elastomer components, process development, and manufacturing approaches with automation partner Génik to deliver custom‑designed systems tailored to customer requirements. Génik translates these manufacturing needs into purpose‑built equipment for the plant floor.
In a project for an industrial OEM, elastomeric couplings had to meet strict functional specifications and be marked with a crisp, durable white logo on the rubber surface.
Manual marking could produce the logo, but it introduced variation. Over long runs, final appearance could be affected by pace, fatigue, and manual technique. To address that challenge, Soucy Baron worked with Génik to develop a custom automated marking system tailored to the specific part family and production environment.
The complex equipment had to accommodate multiple models and parts ranging from 2 to 24 inches in length. It also had to maintain the bright white finish the customer required while keeping pace with production.
“There was no off-the-shelf solution for this application. The equipment had to adapt to a wide range of part sizes and models while delivering the consistency Soucy Baron and its customer required.” Daniel Lemay, Account Manager, Génik
The result is a process that replaces manual marking, delivers precise, repeatable placement and a more uniform finish across the production run no matter what the production volumes are. For the customer the result is greater confidence that each batch of couplings will arrive with the high-quality aesthetic finish and consistency required for production.
In a project for rubber-overmolded intake adapters produced for a powersports OEM, Soucy Baron needed customized testing and validation to confirm that each part met the required performance criteria. Soucy Baron and Génik addressed that challenge with two coordinated machines built specifically for the customer.
The first machine inserts the purge fitting into the part with controlled precision. If a part does not meet the required insertion criteria, it is identified immediately and removed before the next stage. Catching the issue at that point prevents additional processing of a non-conforming part and strengthens control earlier in the sequence.
The second machine performs an airtightness test at operating pressure. It seals the relevant openings, injects air, and verifies whether the part retains the required pressure level under stress. The machine then marks the part according to the test result, helping operators distinguish compliant from non-compliant parts and reducing the risk of classification errors on the plant floor.
“The custom equipment developed with Génik enables us to meet 100% of our customer’s specific quality requirements including deburring, evaluation of the flow and quantity of air passing through the cavities of the part, and maintenance of the pressure under tension of the part.” Richard Morissette, Design & Tooling Supervisor, Soucy Baron
With this custom verification and testing equipment developed in partnership with Génik, Soucy Baron is better equipped to validate that every batch of intake adapters meets the customer’s precise specifications.
Projects like these depend on more than component expertise. When an application calls for specialized production or validation equipment, Soucy Baron works with Génik to develop solutions that fit the part, the process, and the requirements of day-to-day manufacturing operations.
“Génik is responsive and quick to listen to our expectations and needs. Their proximity also facilitates communication, knowledge-sharing related to testing and machine prototypes, and the joint development of solutions tailored to our operational needs and technical capabilities.” Richard Morissette, Design & Tooling Supervisor, Soucy Baron
For OEMs, tailored automation provides stronger control over quality-critical steps, improves repeatability, and supports more predictable production.
Génik is an automation integrator that designs and builds custom industrial equipment for manufacturing applications. The company works closely with manufacturers to develop automation solutions tailored to specific production requirements, from prototype development through implementation.
Soucy Baron supplies OEMs with custom elastomer components that contribute to equipment durability, reliability and efficiency. The company’s expertise includes noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH); polymer engineering and modelling; and adhesion, bonding, and overmolding.