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At the inaugural SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB | Next-Level Molding Days on 28 and 29 October 2026, held at the European Centre of Excellence in Altdorf near Landshut, SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB demonstrated how injection molding processes can be made more efficient, productive and future-proof. The event, attended by around 250 guests, featured the world premiere of the new Linear LWB MultiStation. Under the theme “Turning Technology into Productivity,” the company showcased 15 horizontal and vertical injection molding machines for thermoplastics and elastomers, many running live demonstrations. Additionally, SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB honored three customers for their decades of reliable use of vertical LWB injection molding machines, which remain in operation today.
Georg Holzinger, Chair of the Management Board of Shibaura Machine LWB GmbH, welcomes the approximately 250 guests to the SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB | Next-Level Molding Days
New linear LWB MultiStation parallelizes processes and reduces staffing requirements
“The Next-Level Molding Days showcased what makes SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB unique: we blend Japanese engineering expertise with German craftsmanship, in-depth application knowledge, and intelligent automation. This combination enables our customers to boost productivity and secure long-term investments. The enthusiasm of around 250 guests, who explored our technologies and shared their specific production needs, was particularly striking. My heartfelt thanks go to our team, whose dedication and seamless collaboration made this event a success,” says Dr. Georg Holzinger, Managing Executive Officer of SHIBAURA MACHINE and Chair of the Management Board of SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB GmbH.
The world premiere of the new linear LWB MultiStation marked the highlight of the event. This automated production cell separates injection molding, vulcanization, and demolding, allowing them to run in parallel. The LWB MultiStation shifts vulcanization to separate heating stations, freeing the vertical injection molding machine within minutes. While the component cures under heat and clamping pressure, the system already prepares the next mold. An automated gantry handling system moves two molds, each weighing up to 800 kilograms.
“For suitable applications, the LWB MultiStation can replace several conventional vertical injection molding machines. This increases output whilst simultaneously reducing the capital expenditure per component produced,” explains Dr Clemens Behmenburg, Executive Vice President Systems & Solutions at SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB GmbH. “A further advantage is the significantly lower staffing requirements, as automated mold handling and demolding reduce manual work on hot molds and heating plates.” The modular system adapts flexibly to mold programmes, cycle times, and production targets, and expands as needed. In this way, the LWB MultiStation unites greater efficiency with more ergonomic processes and opens new possibilities for competitive elastomer production.
Broad portfolio of horizontal and vertical injection molding machines
Visitors also gained insight into SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB’s broad range of injection molding machines. The portfolio spans precise, energy-efficient solutions for processing thermoplastics and flexibly configurable machines for demanding elastomer applications. On display were fully electric horizontal injection molding machines from SHIBAURA MACHINE’s EC-SXIII series, with clamping forces from 50 to 350 metric tons, as well as hydraulic horizontal machines from the S-GenXt series, with clamping forces from 100 to 230 metric tons. The exhibition also included hydraulic vertical LWB injection molding machines in C-frame, O-frame, and four-column designs, which process elastomers and thermoplastics with clamping forces ranging from 50 to 900 tons. Several injection molding machines were running live operations. In their presentations, international experts from industry and research highlighted the future of injection molding, global market trends in North America, China, India and Africa, and new production concepts for plastics and rubber processing.
Around 250 guests attended the SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB | Next-Level Molding Days
Awarded: Long-lasting LWB injection molding machines that are still in production today
The campaign ‘Wanted: the oldest LWB injection molding machine still in production today’ proved the value of investing in reliable machinery. SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB honored three machines that remain in productive operation: Jung Gummiverarbeitung / Sonnenschutz e.K. from Hengersberg, Germany earned first place. Their vertical LWB injection molding machine, built in 1989, remains reliably in operation today. Second place was awarded to Aldec AG from Entlebuch, Switzerland, for their 1999 vertical LWB injection molding machine. Third place was claimed by Butser Rubber Ltd from Liss, UK, whose 2006 vertical LWB injection molding machine continues to perform efficiently.
The success stories submitted highlight the importance of durability and reliability in the rubber and plastics industries. Decades of productivity result from robust construction, skilled maintenance, a supply of spare parts, modernization, and dedicated service. “Durability stems from experience ongoing technological progress, and strong partnerships with our customers,” says Pascal Dorweg, Head of International Service at SHIBAURA MACHINE LWB. “Our goal is to support customers turn technology into measurable productivity while ensuring long-term investment security.”