(Reported by Wu Tianyun) On the 28th, in the second phase project of Hubei Retlife Rehabilitation Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. located in Yangxin Economic Development Zone, the laser pipe cutting machine automatically cut, the robotic arm precisely welded, and the spraying assembly line operated efficiently. After undergoing digitalization and automation transformation, the monthly output value of the enterprise jumped from approximately 2 million yuan to nearly 10 million yuan, achieving a leapfrog increase in production capacity.

    "In the past, it took half a day to process the next batch of pipes, but now the laser pipe cutting machine can complete it in half an hour," Shi Zegao, General Manager of Hubei Retlife Rehabilitation Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Retlife Rehabilitation"), introduced while pointing to the running equipment. The second-phase technological transformation project, completed in June this year, introduced 61 sets of domestically produced advanced equipment such as laser pipe cutting machines, welding robots, and CNC machine tools, promoting a comprehensive upgrade of the company's production line.

    Technological advancements bring about comprehensive improvements.

    In the spray painting workshop, the traditional acid pickling process has been replaced by a brand-new automated spray painting production line. "In the past, we had to soak in a weak acid environment, dry, and then spray paint. Now, we remove rust stains from the surface through sanding and shot blasting, and then enter a 200-degree Celsius oven for half a minute to complete the process," Shi Zegao said. The new process not only enhances the paint adhesion but also makes it more environmentally friendly.

    In the exhibition area of the enterprise, a brain-computer interface technology developed in collaboration with South China University of Technology stands out. "Patients only need to wear a specially made headband and can control the lifting and lowering angle of the hospital bed through their thoughts. Especially for patients with hemiplegia or unable to express themselves independently, as long as their brain can still think, the device can recognize the instructions and assist in completing the movements," Shi Zegao explained. Currently, this technology has achieved multi-scenario applications ranging from bed adjustment to joint movement training, and will be further expanded to whole-body rehabilitation training equipment in the future.

    As a high-tech enterprise, Retlife Rehabilitation has established three major R&D centers in Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Yangxin, boasting a team of over 50 Ph.D. and master's degree holders, with an annual R&D investment exceeding 20 million yuan. "We apply for around 8 intellectual property rights every year, which is a hard target for high-tech enterprises," Shi Zegao revealed.

    In addition to brain-computer interfaces, the company has also made breakthroughs in the light therapy series and transcranial magnetic stimulation series. The light therapy equipment utilizes near-infrared radiation to penetrate clothing and directly act on the affected area, avoiding exposure of the patient's body parts and effectively protecting privacy.

    In terms of product innovation, Retlife Rehabilitation has also developed intelligent devices such as comprehensive upper limb function training devices and cardiopulmonary function training machines. "After patients train for 5 minutes, the device can assess their heart condition and generate personalized rehabilitation prescriptions," Shi Zegao introduced. These devices are not only used in medical institutions, but also have entered university training rooms to assist in the cultivation of rehabilitation talents.

    With the release of the second-phase production capacity, Retlife Rehabilitation is undergoing a transformation from "manufacturing" to "smart manufacturing". At the same time, through deep cooperation with universities and expansion into overseas markets, it is transitioning from a rehabilitation equipment manufacturing enterprise to an integrated technology enterprise focusing on "research and development + manufacturing + services". "Currently, we are actively preparing to establish e-commerce and foreign trade departments. Next year, we will focus on expanding overseas markets," Shi Zegao said. "Customers from the Middle East have visited us for inspections multiple times."

Inauguration Ceremony of Jianghan University & Retlife Rehabilitation Intelligent Manufacturing Joint Laboratory

Intelligent Manufacturing College, Jianghan University

    Facing the public's pain point of "expensive medical treatment", the enterprise is committed to developing rehabilitation equipment with higher cost-effectiveness, making high-quality medical resources more accessible. Currently, the enterprise has jointly established laboratories with universities such as Jianghan University to promote tripartite cooperation among "university-enterprise-hospital", ensuring that research and development achievements can be truly transformed into clinically usable products.

    With the continuous growth of market demand, Retlife Rehabilitation is already planning for the third phase of its technological transformation. "In the future, we will integrate the blow molding and injection molding production lines into our self-production system, achieving over 90% of our components being produced in-house," said Shi Zegao.

   From "manufacturing" to "intelligent manufacturing", Retlife Rehabilitation leverages technological advancements to drive production capacity upgrades and relies on research and development to drive product innovation, becoming a vital force in the rehabilitation medical equipment sector in Yangxin. Amidst the growing demand for rehabilitation medical services, this enterprise's path of innovative development has injected new vitality into the regional economy.

(This article is sourced from: Huangshi Daily)