MIDACO MPS-31 Micro Pallet System

The Original CNC Pallet Changer. More Than 30 Years of Proven Productivity.

The MIDACO MPS-31 Micro Pallet System is the original pallet changer that launched more than three decades of MIDACO CNC automation innovation. Designed by machinists to solve real-world production challenges, the MPS-31 reduces machine idle time by allowing operators to load, unload, inspect, and prepare parts outside the machining center while the spindle continues cutting.

Whether you're running a prototype shop, toolroom, production cell, or precision machining operation, the MPS-31 is a simple, reliable way to improve spindle utilization without the complexity of full automation.

Why Use a CNC Pallet Changer?

Every minute a machine is not cutting is lost production.

Traditional machining requires operators to:

Stop the machining cycle
Open the machine door
Remove finished parts
Clean the fixture
Load new material
Re-indicate or inspect parts
Restart production

The MIDACO MPS-31 moves these tasks outside the machine, allowing setup and inspection to occur while machining continues.

Result: More spindle uptime. Less operator waiting. More parts produced per shift.

What Makes the MIDACO MPS-31 Different?

The MPS-31 delivers significant productivity improvements using a simple mechanical design.

Key Benefits

Exchange pallets in seconds
±0.0001" (0.0025 mm) repeatability
Mechanical clamping—no air, hydraulics, or electrical connections
Compact, low-profile receiver
Load and inspect parts outside the machine
Preserve workpiece location during inspection
Reduce setup time between machining cycles
Increase spindle utilization
Simple installation
Minimal maintenance
Proudly Made in the USA

MPS-31 Specifications

Pallet Size

12.75" × 10.5" (323.9 × 266.7 mm)

Repeatability

±0.0001" (0.0025 mm)

Clamping System

Mechanical locking
Eight retention studs

Includes

Two precision pallets
Low-profile receiver
Flip-handle locking mechanism

Compatible Machine Types

The MPS-31 can be installed on virtually any precision machine requiring repeatable workholding.

Ideal for:

CNC Vertical Machining Centers (VMC)
Horizontal Machining Centers (HMC)
Drill & Tap Machines
EDM Machines
Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)
Inspection Stations
Secondary Machining Operations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a micro pallet changer?

A micro pallet changer is a compact workholding system that allows operators to exchange workpieces quickly while maintaining precise positioning. It reduces machine downtime by moving setup and loading operations outside the machining center.

How does the MPS-31 improve CNC productivity?

The MPS-31 increases productivity by reducing spindle idle time.

Instead of waiting for machining to finish before preparing the next job, operators can:

Load new parts
Inspect finished parts
Deburr components
Perform secondary operations

...all while another pallet is inside the machine producing parts.

Does the MPS-31 require air or hydraulics?

No.

The MIDACO MPS-31 uses a fully mechanical clamping system.

Benefits include:

No compressed air
No hydraulic plumbing
No electrical wiring
No software integration
Low maintenance
Reliable operation

How accurate is the MPS-31?

The system provides repeatability of ±0.0001 inch (0.0025 mm).

This level of repeatability allows workpieces to maintain consistent positioning between machining and inspection operations.

What types of shops benefit most?

The MPS-31 is ideal for:

Prototype machining
Tool & die shops
High-mix / low-volume production
Precision machining
Medical manufacturers
Educational machine labs
General job shops

Any shop looking to reduce setup time can benefit.

Can parts be inspected without losing their location?

Yes.

One of the biggest advantages of the MPS-31 is that the workpiece stays mounted to the pallet.

Benefits include:

Faster inspection
Improved dimensional consistency
Reduced setup variation
Less part handling
Easier return to the machine

Why did MIDACO develop the MPS-31?

The MPS-31 was developed after MIDACO experienced excessive machine downtime in its own manufacturing operation.

Rather than accepting idle spindle time, MIDACO engineers designed a compact pallet system that allowed operators to perform setup work offline while machining continued.

That practical solution became the first MIDACO pallet changer and laid the foundation for today's complete family of Manual and Automatic Pallet Changer Systems.

How has the MPS-31 influenced MIDACO's automation?

Its success led to the development of larger Manual Pallet Changer Systems, featuring two pallets and a manually operated shuttle that allows one pallet to be machined while the other is loaded outside the machine, reducing setup time and increasing spindle utilization.

Building on that proven concept, MIDACO expanded into a full line of Automatic Pallet Changer Systems, using servo-driven pallet exchanges and larger pallet capacities to support unattended machining, lights-out production, and higher throughput for CNC machine shops.

Today, every MIDACO pallet changer is built on the same principle established by the MPS-31: maximize spindle uptime by moving setup and part handling outside the machining center.

Why Manufacturers Choose MIDACO

For more than 50 years, manufacturers around the world have trusted MIDACO to improve CNC productivity.

MIDACO solutions are designed to:

Increase spindle utilization
Reduce machine idle time
Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Reduce setup time
Increase throughput
Support lean manufacturing
Improve operator efficiency
Deliver long-term reliability

Every MIDACO product is engineered with one objective:

Produce more parts in less time.

About MIDACO

Established in 1969, MIDACO is a veteran-owned American manufacturer of CNC automation and machine productivity solutions. For more than five decades, MIDACO has designed and built pallet changers and automation systems that help manufacturers reduce downtime, increase throughput, and maximize the performance of CNC machine tools.