Midaco cover feature showing UR Cobot with Midaco Hydraulic System on Pallet Changer of Modern Machine Shop February 2023 issue

Critical labor shortages call for creative automation solutions such as adding collaborative robots to increase unattended machining. But why set up a robot to load parts one by one directly onto your vertical machine tool table and lose valuable cutting time? Instead, your robot can load a pallet full of parts on a MIDACO Automatic Pallet Changer while the CNC machine is cutting.

Read the full article in Modern Machine Shop


MIDACO 'Robot Ready" Automatic Pallet Changer with Cobot and Hydraulic Docking System

Two Forms of Machining Automation Are Better Than One

MIDACO's Automatic Pallet Changers revolutionized efficiency in part loading on vertical machining centers. Collaborative robots revolutionized efficiency by reducing the amount of time bodies are needed on the production floor. By combining these two forms of machine tool automation, a cobot mounted directly onto the MIDACO shuttle helps shops maximize unattended machining time. While one pallet is in the machine, the cobot can load the other pallet, increasing throughput when compared to applications that use just a cobot for machine tending.


Midaco Hydraulic Docking System on Automatic Pallet Changer entering VMCMIDACO's hose-less Hydraulic Docking System provides an automated way to clamp parts for unattended machining. The pallet sits in the docking station as the robot loads the blanks, then it locks the fixtures into place and sends the pallet into the machine. When the cycle is complete, the pallet returns to the cocking system, which automatically releases the parts for unloading.


VMC Automation Made Simple

Midaco Automatic Pallet Changer with Cobot loading parts into Hydraulic Docking System

MIDACO has put this “Robot Ready” package together to take the complexity out of automated part loading and machining. For job shops today experiencing challenges in finding labor, it’s a definite way to go. All of this combines to make a system that provides more bang for your buck.

Take advantage of price discounts offered with a “Robot Ready” package set-up vs purchasing individually.



A40SD "Robot Ready" Automatic Pallet Changer Package includes:

  • A4020SD Automatic Pallet Changer (40”x19” pallets)
  • A40SDCRMK Robot Ready Modification* (does not include robot)
  • HDS3000 Hydraulic Docking System (does not include vises)
Other "Robot Ready" Automatic Pallet Changer packages available for VMCs with XY travel from 22"x15" (558mm x 381mm) up to 64"x31" (1626mm x 787mm).

*MIDACO requires robot/cobot specifications prior to this customized Automatic Pallet Changer order.

Use your own robot/cobot and hydraulic workholding or contact MIDACO for these additional options:

  • UR Cobot (does not include end of arm tooling or programming of robot.)
  • Hydraulic 6" Double Station Vises
  • Loading Carts
  • 3-sided Light Curtain Guarding

For more information

Call or complete our online contact form today.