Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., Industrial Automation Division unveiled the MELSEC MX Controller on July 14, 2026, a new automation platform that folds sequence control, motion control, and network control into a single multi-core device. The top-end model, the MX-R, scales up to 256 axes, positioning it for the most demanding multi-axis machines Mitsubishi Electric builds today.
"The MX Controller was developed to address the growing demand for highly integrated control across motion, logic, and networking within a single platform," said Aga Zupancic, product manager at Mitsubishi Electric US, Industrial Automation. Native CC-Link IE TSN support lets the controller run deterministic, synchronized motion across many axes while real-time control traffic and general data share one network instead of running on separate ones.
The MX line splits into two families. The MX-R covers the high end, with versions rated for 16, 32, 64, 128, or 256 axes, all running over CC-Link IE TSN. The MX-F trades some of that headroom for lower cost, topping out at eight or 16 axes, and it's the first MX model to offer a choice between CC-Link IE TSN and EtherCAT. Engineers speccing EtherCAT cells will care that only sinking-output EtherCAT modules ship today. Sourcing-output versions are still listed as coming soon.
Programming runs through Mitsubishi Electric's GX Works3 software, which handles sequence and motion in one environment using IEC 61131-3 languages, including ladder logic, structured text, and function block diagram, plus PLCopen motion function blocks for code reuse across projects. The controller also adds OPC UA communication and MES integration for pulling machine data into higher-level systems, along with built-in encryption, authentication, and access control aimed at meeting IEC 62443-4-2 cybersecurity requirements.
The MX Controller is built to slot into machines already running MELSEC iQ-R and iQ-F Series PLCs, letting shops migrate without replacing existing hardware. Mitsubishi Electric expects packaging, material handling, and electronics manufacturing to be the first industries to adopt the new controllers, and the company has published a selection guide to help engineers weigh axis count against budget when choosing between the MX-R and MX-F.
