Innovative Iteration: Leading Plastic Machinery Companies Accelerate Expansion in Robotics and Automation

Under the dual drive of the Industry 4.0 wave and the restructuring of global supply chains, leading companies in the plastic machinery industry are rapidly expanding into the field of robotics and automation at an unprecedented pace.

Since 2025, leading companies in the plastic equipment sector, such as Topstar, Lijin Group, and KraussMaffei, have been accelerating their efforts in the robotics and automation field through technological innovation and product iteration, promoting the intelligent and flexible upgrading of plastic processing.

From the current perspective,ToshibaThe expansion in the field of robotics has been rapid, with many impressive. In the first half of this year, product validation and field applications have been completed for dual-arm intelligent robots and embodied intelligent stacking workstations, among others.

It is worth mentioning that on September 12, Tuosida launched the country's first embodied intelligent robot based on artificial intelligence technology for industrial scenarios—the Tuoxingji series humanoid robots. The series includes wheeled humanoid robots, humanoid dual-arm robots, and humanoid mechanical arms, capable of autonomous reasoning and decision-making for complex tasks in warehouse or factory environments, filling a gap in the current market.

On July 27, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2025),L.K. GroupJoin hands with Shenzhen Cyborg Robot Co., Ltd., China Academy of Machinery Science & Technology Group Shenyang Foundry Research Institute Co., Ltd., Fujian Magnesium Casting Lightweight R&D Center Co., Ltd., and Suzhou Safei New Material Technology Co., Ltd. to collectively sign a strategic cooperation agreement, officially launching the magnesium alloy humanoid robot joint development project, ushering in a new era of lightweight manufacturing for humanoid robots.

It is understood that Lijin Group has been continuously increasing its investment in the field of intelligent manufacturing in recent years, building a complete industrial ecosystem through deep cooperation with upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry chain.

This collaboration marks an important step for the company in the humanoid robot field. The partners will fully leverage their respective technological advantages through integrated innovation in "materials-structure-process." The project aims to overcome the traditional bottleneck of robot weight and strength, achieving a dual revolution in structural lightweighting and manufacturing efficiency. Additionally, they will jointly establish the "Humanoid Robot Body Component Joint R&D Center," focusing on addressing core technical challenges such as magnesium alloy shell molding, process optimization, and lightweight structure design. LK Technology will provide advanced forming equipment and process solutions based on its leading technology in magnesium alloy forming, facilitating breakthroughs in the lightweight structure of robots.

The same optimism for the development of magnesium alloy robots is shared by others.Bole IntelligenceBo Le has been deeply engaged in the magnesium alloy forming field for many years. Through independent research and development of semi-solid magnesium alloy injection molding machines, it has successively launched 300-4000T magnesium alloy forming equipment into the market. Bo Le adopts semi-solid thixotropic molding technology, utilizing semi-molten state magnesium alloy for injection molding, significantly reducing issues such as part shrinkage, porosity, corrosion, and reliability during the forming process. This results in higher material utilization and lower energy consumption. Bo Le's ultra-large magnesium alloy semi-solid injection molding machine enables lightweight, large-size magnesium alloy component products to be produced in an integrated molding process. The emergence of this new technology will strongly promote the realization of the lightweight goal of "replacing aluminum with magnesium" for parts such as the body, chassis, and power systems in new energy vehicles.

With the significant improvement in magnesium supply and the maturation of semi-solid injection molding technology for magnesium alloys, products produced by magnesium alloy molding equipment are expected to be increasingly applied in various components of robots such as skeletons, casings, joints, and heat dissipation and shock absorption parts.

Additionally, at the K 2025 exhibition,KraussMaffeiThe combination of the brand new all-electric PX series and the new LRXplus linear robots will also be showcased. According to the introduction, the LRXplus series offers a wide range of functions for flexible automation and has a high degree of compatibility, making it suitable not only for KraussMaffei's injection molding machines but also compatible with systems from other manufacturers and various automation tasks.

Furthermore,Aaborg, EngelWe are also deepening the full-process collaboration between robots and injection molding machines and launching related products.

Abog.LaunchedThe design of robotic arms and grippers empowers automated injection molding and will become a key force driving the injection molding industry towards flexible manufacturing and smart factories.EngelThe Viper series linear robots and injection molding equipment control system achieve full process integration through real-time data interaction between the equipment and robots, activating intelligent auxiliary functions, effectively optimizing production rhythm and simplifying operation processes. The human-machine interface adopts the same operation logic as the main machine, significantly shortening the personnel training cycle and enhancing operational intuitiveness. Equipped with a portable handheld terminal, it supports direct control within the production unit.

Industry insiders believe that these companies' strategic arrangements will further enhance the efficiency and quality of plastic processing, and assist the industry in market expansion in high value-added fields such as new energy vehicles and healthcare.

(The above is a comprehensive compilation from Plastic Machinery Network, Lijin Group, Arburg, ENGEL, Borche Intelligent, etc.)