Mitsubishi Electric Automation Introduces LoadMate Plus Robot Cell for Machine Tool Tending

Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc. last week announced the release of its LoadMate Plus robot cell. The Vernon Hills, Ill.-based company said the system is designed to be easily moved and is targeted at manufacturers that want to be more efficient and more productive.

Manufacturers that face labor shortages for CNC (computer numerical control) machine applications can benefit from the LoadMate Plus, said Mitsubishi Electric. The robot cell can provide flexibility for traditionally high-mix, low-volume facilities to introduce automation, according to the company.

LoadMate Plus automates the task of loading and removing parts from a machine tool through the use of robotics. It can be mounted next to one machine or 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.

LoadMate Plus. Source: Mitsubishi Electric

No robot programming experience or teach pendant is required, said Mitsubishi, 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 three-year robot warranty, and Mitsubishi Electric technicians who can service LoadMate Plus, users can ensure that their production will continue uninterrupted," he said.

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

About Mitsubishi Electric Automation

Mitsubishi Electric Automation offers a wide range of factory automation products, solutions, training, and support services for the industrial and commercial sectors. A U.S. affiliate of Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Mitsubishi Electric Automation has more than 75 years’ experience in the automation industry.

Its broad product portfolio includes programmable automation controllers (PAC), programmable logic controllers (PLC), human machine interfaces (HMI), variable frequency drives (VFD), servo amplifiers and motors, control software, CNC machines, motion controllers, robots, and low-voltage power distribution products.

The company takes its solutions on the road with the 53-foot long Solutions in Motion mobile showroom that appears at tradeshows, training seminars, and other events across North America.

In addition to factory automation, Mitsubishi Electric US group companies’ principal businesses include semiconductor devices, automotive electrical components, elevators and escalators, heating and cooling products, electric utility products, and large-scale video displays for stadiums and arenas. Mitsubishi Electric US group companies have 38 locations throughout North America with approximately 4,000 employees.