How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE

The Practical First Step to CNC Automation Without the Complexity

In today’s competitive manufacturing environment, keeping CNC machines cutting instead of idle isn’t just good practice — it’s essential for profitability. Traditional part loading directly on the machine table creates unavoidable downtime, drives up labor costs, and reduces overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). MIDACO Pallet Changers eliminate that bottleneck by enabling offline part and fixture loading, allowing operators to prep the next job while your spindle continues cutting. That means less waiting, more machining, and a better bottom line — without the complexity or high cost of full robotic automation.

Smart Shop Essentials Interview

In November 2025, MIDACO’s Mike Munao was interviewed by Kip Hanson on SME’s Smart Shop Essentials about CNC productivity and overall equipment effectiveness with pallet changers. An interview summary and additional insights are below.

Why Automate With MIDACO Pallet Changers?

Keep Your Spindle Cutting Longer
Pallet changers allow operators to set up parts offline, so the machine doesn’t sit idle while fixtures are loaded or swapped. This approach can significantly increase spindle utilization compared to traditional single-table loading workflows.
Reduce Downtime and Setup Labor
Every cycle that requires opening machine doors and manually changing parts adds minutes of lost production. MIDACO systems cut pallet exchange times to seconds, minimizing idle periods and freeing operators to manage multiple processes.

Improve Quality and Repeatability
Because fixtures and vises stay on dedicated pallets, setups can be pre-qualified and repeatable from job to job — reducing errors and scrap while enhancing part consistency.
Boost Flexibility for High-Mix Production
Modern job shops often run small batches with frequent engineering changes. Pallet changers allow you to preload multiple part families and quickly switch between them, making short runs profitable and reducing inventory waste.
Lower Cost Per Part on Machines You Already Own
Pallet Changer automation helps you extract more value from the machining centers  you already own. Higher OEE and less downtime directly improve throughput and margins.

What MIDACO Pallet Changers Do for Your Shop

- Offline Part Loading
Operators can load and inspect parts outside the machine, eliminating machine door open/close downtime.
- Rapid Pallet Changeovers
Pallet swaps typically occur in seconds to minutes depending on pallet weight — keeping machines cutting more of the shift.
- Precision & Accuracy
MIDACO pallets consistently repeat to ±0.0001″ (±0.0025 mm), helping maintain tight tolerances across runs.
- Compatible With Most CNCs
Systems integrate with new machines or retrofit existing small and large VMCs, bridge mills, machines with tables which do not move in Y-Axis, and more — making automation accessible across your fleet.
- Pallet Changers Compliment Unattended Robot Loading
For operations moving to lights-out machining, MIDACO’s pallet changers and AutoDoors systems offline loading and quick pallet swaps, while a robot automates the tasks of loading raw material onto the pallet and then unloading finished parts when the cycle completes. Together, they extend lights-out capabilities and maximize spindle utilization.

Real Results from Manufacturing Shops

Manufacturers using MIDACO pallet changers routinely report:

• Higher spindle utilization and fewer idle cycles through offline loading techniques.
• Faster delivery times by reducing setup and changeover delays.
• Greater flexibility to respond to rush orders and engineering changes.
• Lower per-part costs and improved competitiveness.

(Individual results vary by application and setup. For more case studies, contact us.)

Start Your CNC Automation Journey

Whether you manage a high-mix job shop, lean manufacturing cell, or volume production line, pallet changers are one of the most accessible automation investments you can make. They deliver strong ROI by maximizing machine uptime, lowering labor overhead, and increasing throughput — all while fitting into your current workflow and tooling strategy.

Learn More

Ready to see the impact in your shop?
Contact MIDACO today to evaluate the right pallet changer solution for your CNC machines and unlock higher productivity, less downtime, and greater profits Call (855) 593-5668 or complete our online contact form today.