As manufacturers face skilled labor shortages, rising costs, and pressure to maximize machine utilization, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. (Mitsubishi Electric Automation) will showcase how robotic machine tending can deliver measurable productivity gains and fast returns on investment at IMTS 2026.
At IMTS 2026, Mitsubishi Electric Automation will feature live demonstrations of LoadMate Plus™ and ARIA, two pre-engineered robotic machine tending solutions designed to help manufacturers automate CNC mills and lathes with confidence, flexibility, and scalability.
Automated machine tending enables longer spindle uptime, improved process consistency, and redeployment of skilled workers to higher value tasks. Robotic tending also reduces unplanned downtime and supports lights out or extended hours production.
“For many manufacturers, robotic machine tending is one of the most practical and financially justifiable entry points into automation,” said David Simak, product manager (service) at Mitsubishi Electric Automation. “When implemented correctly, it delivers productivity improvements that can be measured quickly on the shop floor.”
With decades of experience in CNC, robotics, and factory automation, Mitsubishi Electric Automation brings OEM level engineering and support to machine tending applications. Since Mitsubishi Electric is the original equipment manufacturer of both the CNC and the robot, the company offers a single point of accountability, long-term product support, and solutions designed to remain compatible as production needs evolve.
Two Pre-Engineered Machine Tending Solutions LoadMate Plus™ is designed for quick setup and long-term deployment at a single machine. It can be customized for different machine layouts, part sizes, and safety requirements while integrating directly with Mitsubishi Electric CNCs and robots. ARIA (Automated Robotic Industrial Assistant) is a compact, configurable solution for mill and lathe tending in space-constrained environments. It supports multiple robot types and can be relocated within a facility, making it ideal for shared or expanding automation strategies.
Attendees can visit the Mitsubishi Electric Automation booth #338136 to view live machine tending demonstrations, speak with application experts, and discuss ROI considerations for their specific operations.
