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Sounds too good to be true? Yet, the new MELSERVO-JET servo drive offers precisely that. This innovative solution stands out with its exceptional performance, high efficiency, and outstanding cost-effectiveness.

Mitsubishi Electric has once again raised the bar with their latest addition to the servo drive family. The new MELSERVO-JET combines premium performance with medium-range pricing, creating an unprecedented value proposition in the industrial automation market.

"One of the most significant challenges machine builders face today is the lower number of projects on the market, leading to higher local competition and competition with lower-priced machines from markets like China," explains Błażej Siudaj, Product Manager for Servo & Motion at Mitsubishi Electric for CEE region. "The key to maintaining competitiveness isn't just about price—it's about delivering superior performance and efficiency."

The new MELSERVO-JET sets new standards in the servo drive domain, offering advanced safety features that allow for a significant increase in machine speed without compromising safety.

With an impressive 3.2 kHz speed frequency response, the MR-JET-HS operates at nearly the same level as high-end CNC drives, making it ideal for precision applications where performance cannot be compromised. This places it well ahead of competitors, positioning it firmly in the premium performance category despite its medium-range price point. 

"The new MELSERVO-JET is a mid-range performance product, which means we can support our customers with excellent technical specifications and also a very good price level," says Błażej. "This specification is on the top of servo solutions on the market, even though it is a mid-range product."

The MELSERVO-JET delivers an impressive array of advantages that transform industrial automation capabilities. Its advanced network-based safety functions dramatically reduce wiring and component requirements while accelerating commissioning times through 7 integrated safety functions including STO, SS1, SBC, SLS, SSM, SDI, and SLT. A significant downtime reduction is achieved through battery less 24-bit absolute encoders that eliminate maintenance requirements, while the compact dimensions pack more power into a smaller housing with a range from 0.1 kW to an impressive 7 kW (3x400 VAC). The cost-effectiveness of this advanced technology is remarkable, with pricing up to 45% lower than comparable high-performance alternatives. Implementation time is reduced by up to 50% compared to current solutions thanks to spring connectors that eliminate the need for STO cables and terminal block accessories, while the one-cable solution simplifies installation by combining power, encoder, and brake connections in a single hybrid cable. 

"Our latest servo operates with a 3.2 kHz speed frequency response, delivering excellent dynamic performance," Błażej points out. "The motors are compact, highly efficient, and capable of handling an overload of up to 350% for 3 seconds. Additionally, they feature a uniquely high inertia ratio, reaching up to 25:1."

The MR-JET-HS is exclusively designed for 3x400 VAC power supply, offering significant advantages in three-phase installations. Its technical specifications are impressive: 

• Power range: 0.1 - 7 kW (3x400 VAC) with safety
• Speed frequency response: 3.2 kHz (approaching high-end CNC drive performance) 
• Network protocols: CC-Link IE TSN, EtherCAT, CC-Link IE Field Basic 
• Encoder resolution: 24-bit (16,777,216 p/rev) absolute, multiturn encoders (battery less) 
• Motor overload capacity: Up to 350% 
• Maximum motor speed: 6,700 rpm 
• Safety functions: STO, SS1, SBC, SLS, SSM, SDI, and SLT
• Safety I/O: 3 pairs of freely configurable IOs

The system supports low inertia motors (HK-KN series) with power ratings from 100W to 7kW, providing excellent performance for a wide range of applications. The motors feature IP67 protection, making them suitable for challenging industrial environments. 

"Based on these parameters, we can offer our customers a reduced motor size and lower power requirements compared to other options on the market, which positively impacts both cost and machine design.", notes Błażej. "Furthermore, our inertia ratio is at least 2 times higher than competitive solutions, which generates a lot of advantages for our customers who can optimize the servo motor size significantly. Another topic that is increasingly important is machine safety," he emphasizes. "Our new JET servo family is equipped with 7 functional safety features as a standard, which is unique on the market because we have always advanced safety on board without any additional fee. Amplifiers are equipped with 3 pairs of freely configurable safety IO, which means customers can decide which function they want to use and configure it themselves, quickly and simply."

The MELSERVO-JET has been meticulously engineered to meet the needs of small and medium-sized machine builder's companies across various precision-demanding industries. In woodworking applications, it delivers the exact positioning required for precision cutting operations. CNC machine manufacturers, particularly those utilising EtherCAT network-based control systems, benefit from its high-speed response capabilities that approach premium CNC drive performance. Converting applications leverage its synchronization capabilities and accurate motion control for material processing. Metal working operations particularly benefit from the 3.2 kHz speed frequency response, making it ideal for precision machining where accuracy and surface finish are paramount. The product is especially valuable for companies with streamlined decision-making processes where innovative solutions can be rapidly implemented and evaluated, making it the perfect choice for automation department heads and drive selection specialists seeking high performance without premium pricing. 

"Who will benefit most from these medium-efficiency servo solutions? If you're a system integrator working with clients who have strict budget constraints, or a machine builder looking to maintain competitive pricing while ensuring reliability, or an end user seeking to automate processes without excessive investment - these solutions are designed with you in mind."

Thanks to its compatibility and adaptation to other industry standards, the transition to MELSERVO-JET is extremely simple. With TSN, it can be used interchangeably with J5 or CC-Link Basic, while still gaining more advanced safety features and compact dimensions. It's an ideal solution for companies looking to modernize their production lines without costly and time-consuming rebuilds of the entire system. Also, the MELSERVO-JET can be easily mixed with MR-J5 in the same network, allowing for flexible system design that optimizes cost and performance. 

"Another topic is multi-connectivity; our new servo supports not only our CC-Link IE TSN network but also EtherCAT and, in the future, maybe even this year, we will support Profinet," Błażej reveals. "The network standards will be fulfilled not only from a control point of view but also with safety communication, which can significantly reduce the time for commissioning especially wiring."

The MR-JET-HS establishes a commanding position in the servo drive market through a comprehensive set of technical advantages over competitors. Its superior encoder resolution of 24-bit plus 16-bit multiturn significantly outperforms competitors' 17–21-bit offerings, enabling more precise positioning and smoother operation. The safety functionality is unmatched with seven comprehensive safety functions compared to competitors' limited offerings of just 1-3 functions. Unlike most competitor products, MELSERVO-JET features network-based safety that simplifies system architecture and reduces wiring complexity. Its exceptional 3.2 kHz speed frequency response outpaces competitors' 2.5-3.1 kHz capabilities, delivering superior dynamic performance. The battery less absolute encoder technology eliminates maintenance requirements and improves reliability, while the one-cable solution dramatically simplifies installation compared to traditional multi-cable approaches. This combination of technical advantages creates a compelling value proposition that competitors struggle to match at any price point. 

"This is also possible because of the high encoder resolution with 24 bits, which significantly improves the smoothness of the movement and allows the servo to respond faster to any changes in the environment," Błażej adds. "The encoder is also equipped with a very high resolution of multiturn absolute rotations, meaning we have +/- 32k absolute revolutions, which is a few times higher than competitive solutions."

The MELSERVO-JET represents a paradigm shift in servo drive technology, seamlessly bridging the traditionally wide gap between high-performance and medium-performance systems. It delivers an unprecedented combination of premium-level safety features, high-speed response, maintenance-free battery-less encoder technology, and simplified installation through its innovative one-cable solution—all while supporting external encoders for applications requiring closed-loop feedback. Most remarkably, it achieves this technical excellence at a price point that not only challenges but often undercuts economic-tier competitors, creating a value proposition that fundamentally changes the servo drive market. For automation professionals seeking the optimal balance of performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness, the MELSERVO-JET doesn’t just raise the bar—it completely redefines what's possible in mid-tier servo technology.

"The perception that quality automation requires premium prices is outdated," concludes Błażej. "Medium-performance solutions like the MELSERVO-JET demonstrate that it's possible to achieve the right balance of capability and cost. In summary, the medium-performance product should be good enough for application, but the MELSERVO-JET servo is more than enough – top quality with an excellent price makes it a perfect choice for your business." 

Want to learn more about how MELSERVO-JET can optimise your production? Check out the website