Countdown to IMTS 2010: Midaco

The staff of MIDACO Corp. will introduce the all new 16SD Series of Servo Driven Automatic Pallet Systems for new and existing smaller Vertical Machining Centers, as well as a complete redesign of all systems to achieve faster pallet change times at IMTS 2010  in Booth W-1922. With a pallet size ranging from 22” x 14” (558.8mm x 355.69mm) up to 27.5” x 16” (698.5 mm x 406.4mm) and a pallet change time of 6.5 SECONDS, this new 16SD series is designed to deliver true productivity and labor savings for machine tool manufacturers looking to step up production in a lean economy.

According to company CEO, Mike Cayley Sr, MIDACO focused on designing a smaller, faster model  Pallet Changer System to enhance the production of manufacturing companies in the United States and Western Europe. With the growing trend for OEM’s to source more of their precision-machined parts from low-cost regions such as the Far East, the American manufacturing industry has been hit particularly hard as more and more companies look overseas to keep manufacturing costs down.

“The pressure is on machine shops in the western world to find faster, lower cost ways of achieving greater output and reliable high-quality without incurring disproportionately higher costs. By investing in a MIDACO pallet changer, many of our customers in the US have retained work and prevented it from being outsourced to low-cost countries.”

The principal behind a MIDACO pallet-changer couldn’t be simpler. Instead of stopping a machine to load and unload parts, MIDACO systems provide an accurate and reliable means of loading or unloading one pallet while the other is being machined. “It’s not a new concept, but it’s still surprising how many companies continue to waste valuable machining time. We’ve saved some customers tens of thousands of dollars. Not just in machine time, but also because we’ve saved them from having to buy additional machines – and hire extra personnel - to achieve the desired output.”

Cayley explains that to stay in business, manufacturers in high-cost countries need to machine smarter, “In a globalized industry – one where we’re not just competing locally, but with anyone, anywhere who can afford to buy and run a CNC machine tool – it’s about staying one step ahead.

“We’ve designed and built a range of products which will not only appeal to cost-conscious business leaders, but will also appeal to manufacturing managers looking for productivity enhancements that don’t compromise on quality.

“Increasingly in the future, successful manufacturers will be the ones who learn to find time and cost savings in every aspect of their operations.”

In addition to the New smaller 16SD Series, MIDACO has Automatic Pallet Systems to fit every size VMC up to 150” x 50” (3810mm x 1270mm). The Automatic Pallet Systems exchange pallets in only seconds with +/- .0001” ( .0025 mm) repeatability. Lifting capacities of the larger systems go up to 8,000 lbs. (3,632 kg) per pallet.

The automatic systems require minimal floor space, 2 (two) M-functions, electric power, compressed air and can be installed in about a day.  CE Guarding enclosures, t-slotted, tapped hole pallets and pallet transfer carts are optional. Manual systems up to 72” x 30” (1828 x 762 mm), and Robot Loaders are also available.

MIDACO Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of automatic and manual pallet changers for CNC machining centers, Robot Loaders machine tool accessories and safety products for bench and pedestal grinders. MIDACO products are designed to save manufacturing time, increase output, and make manufacturing companies more profitable and competitive. Since MIDACO was established in 1969 it has worked with all the major machine tool manufacturers and installed many hundreds of pallet changers around the world.

Visit MIDACO’s website at WWW.MIDACO-CORP.COM or contact MIDACO at 847.593.8420 for complete information.