Introducing LoadMate Plus Robot Cell for Flexible Machine Tool Tending

PB-44-Mitsubishi-LoadMate-400.jpg

June 17, 2021

Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. recently announced the release of its LoadMate Plus engineered solution. LoadMate Plus is a robot cell which can be easily moved for efficient use, and is targeted towards manufacturers in CNC machine tool applications that find themselves facing a labor crunch, while needing to be more efficient and improve their production. The robot cell provides flexible solutions for traditionally high-mix, low-volume facilities to introduce automation, and is designed with mobility and flexibility in mind.

LoadMate Plus automates the task of loading and removing parts from a machine tool through the use of robotics, and can be mounted next to one machine, between two machines, and otherwise moved around a facility as jobs require. When this cell is paired with Mitsubishi Electric M8 Series CNC, operators can use the Direct Robot Control (DRC) feature within the CNC controls to also control and program the robot with menus and G-code from the same screen used for the machine tool. No robot programming experience or teach pendant is required, allowing manufacturers to use existing staff to automate and make adjustments.

“Most automation solutions for machine tending rely on either cobots for flexibility, or industrial robots for performance and larger parts,” said Rob Brodecki, services product manager at Mitsubishi Electric Automation. “With LoadMate Plus, users don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. The cell is flexible, regardless of the robot, and users can choose from a number of robots to match a shop’s specific needs. Plus, with an available 3-year robot warranty, and Mitsubishi Electric technicians who can service LoadMate Plus, users can ensure that their production will continue uninterrupted.”

LoadMate Plus can be used with a variety of machine tools, including mill, lathe, and drilling/tapping.

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • How Schneider Electric Canada is Driving Industries into the Future 

    September 17, 2025 By Krystie Johnston  Automation, digitalization, IIoT, and AI. Data. Cybersecurity. Sustainability. These are some of the biggest trends in automation that are affecting industries in Canada today and are bound to shape their future, along with such imperatives as labour shortages, and reshoring. Schneider Electric is a leader in technology and was… Read More…

  • Why Stop at Efficiency? Build EtherCAT Networks for Maximum Reliability

    September 17, 2025 In the race toward smarter, more automated industrial operations, every microsecond counts. In response to rising demands for higher precision, speed, and synchronization across industries like robotics, packaging, and semiconductors, EtherCAT has become the standard for high-performance motion control. Its unique “on-the-fly” processing principle delivers deterministic, high-speed communication that traditional industrial Ethernet… Read More…


Featured Article

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing and logistics industries, the need for efficient and flexible material movement solutions has never been greater. Traditional methods like conveyor systems, forklifts, and manual pushcarts have served us well, but they come with limitations.

That’s why Omron is thrilled to announce the launch of their game-changing MD Series of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Read more


Products

  • New AT-HA Grommet from icotek:

    September 18, 2025 Compact integration of 3A and 4A connectors in the IMAS-CONNECT™ system With the new AT-HA grommet, icotek is expanding its innovative IMAS-CONNECT™ adapter system with a forward-looking solution for industrial use. The AT-HA enables the integration of 3A and 4A plug inserts directly into an adapter cable entry without the need for… Read More…

  • POSITAL Precision Magnetic Encoders – Now Available with BiSS C Communications Interface

    September 17, 2025 POSITAL’s new generation of IXARC magnetic absolute rotary encoders are now available with BiSS C communications interfaces. Encoders with this interface are ideal for commutation and position feedback in BLDC servo motors. Moreover, their excellent performance characteristics, compact size (36 mm diameter, 32 mm high), and low energy requirements make these IXARC… Read More…