(Casei Gerola, Altdorf, August 4, 2026) SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB and E.P.F. Elettrotecnica S.r.l. (EPF) will present advanced solutions for injection molding, production automation, and digital quality and process monitoring at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen (October 12–16, Hall A5, Booth A5-5217). The systems help plastics processors boost productivity, stabilize processes, and raise overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB will operate a fully electric injection molding machine with automated part removal by a linear handling system. EPF will present its SUPATA® Smart Feeder, which features automated quality inspection for maximum manufacturing flexibility and complete traceability. The exhibition also highlights the companies’ long-term growth strategy with their planned joint venture to strengthen sales, service, and automation expertise across Southern Europe.
SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB: All-electric injection molding machine with automated part removal by linear handling
“Plastics processors and injection molders increasingly seek smart, automated production solutions. With our horizontal and vertical injection molding machines at the heart of production, combined with precisely integrated automation, we create solutions that help our customers boost productivity, stabilize processes, and sharpen their competitiveness in a demanding manufacturing environment," says Dr. Georg Holzinger, Managing Executive Officer of SHIBAURA MACHINE and Managing Director of SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB GmbH.
At Fakuma 2026, SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB will present a fully electric injection molding machine EC100SXIII with a clamping force of 100 metric tons. In live operation, the injection molding machine will produce a business card box from polypropylene (PP). A Cartesian linear handling system will place the parts onto a conveyor belt. The solution demonstrates the high precision, process stability, and energy efficiency of modern all-electric injection molding technology. “A key innovation is the new S-Concept Resin Viscosity Measurement, which continuously monitors resin viscosity and automatically adjusts processing parameters in a closed control loop to ensure consistent part quality, even when processing regrind material,” explains Holzinger. The seamless interplay of machine, automation, and digital process intelligence raises overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), reduces downtime, and enables highly productive manufacturing with maximum process reliability.
EPF: Intelligent Quality Control for Flexible Manufacturing
Additionally, EPF highlights its SUPATA® Smart Feeder with Automated Vertical Warehouse, illustrating how intelligent quality control enhances flexible, highly automated production. In a live demonstration, the system processes several components in a single production flow, conducts full dimensional and surface inspections with integrated vision technology, and assigns batch data automatically to ensure complete traceability. Rapid recipe changes, optional automatic gripper swaps, and seamless integration into automated production lines allow manufacturers to oversee growing product variety efficiently while maintaining high-quality standards.
"The future of plastics manufacturing requires inspection systems that are as intelligent and flexible as the production cells they support. SUPATA® combines automated feeding, quality control, and traceability into one integrated platform, enabling our customers to increase efficiency while responding quickly to changing production requirements," says Franco Filippi, CEO and Chairman of EPF.
Planned Joint Venture for Southern Europe
SHIBAURA MACHINE and EPF are taking their strategic partnership to the next level with a planned joint venture for Italy and Southern Europe. After signing a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2026, both companies will unite SHIBAURA MACHINE’s global injection molding expertise with EPF’s strengths in automation and engineering. Together, they will offer customers complete one-stop solutions for automated production cells. The joint venture will boost regional sales and service, while advancing SHIBAURA MACHINE’s long-term growth in Southern Europe. Both partners plan to finalize agreements and close the transaction by the end of 2026.
SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB | Next-Level Molding Days: Automated Production Cells and Comprehensive Injection Molding Expertise for Greater Productivity
SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB is inviting plastics and rubber processors as well as injection molders to the SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB | Next-Level Molding Days on October 28 and 29, 2026, at its European Competence Center in Altdorf near Landshut. Under the theme “Turning Technology into Productivity,” the company will demonstrate how modern injection molding production will become more economical, energy-efficient, and future-ready. The event will focus on the LWB MultiStation automated production cell, which is transforming rubber manufacturing; a broad portfolio of horizontal and vertical injection molding machines for thermoplastics and elastomers; and a comprehensive service offering designed to ensure consistently high machine availability. Live demonstrations, technical presentations, plant tours, and direct exchange with experts will offer practical insights into how plastics and rubber manufacturers can raise productivity, improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and secure their investments over the long term.
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