Why Our Tools Specialist Robert Crosby Is Excited About the Cleco mPro250 Cordless Tool Controller
As we head into 2026, the pace of innovation in the manufacturing world is only accelerating, especially in assembly. Efficiency, connectivity, and reliability make or break production uptime. Few people in the area understand this landscape better than Robert Crosby, our Tools Specialist here at Air Components, and this year he’s got one tool at the top of his list.
His pick for the most exciting advancement heading into 2026?
Cleco mPro250 Cordless Tool Controller
Why This Controller Matters
Manufacturers are shifting toward cordless assembly tools, not just for mobility but for flexibility, safety, and reduced downtime. The mPro250 is designed exactly for this shift.
According to Robert, the power of this controller is simple:
“This will benefit customers looking to integrate cordless assembly tools in a manufacturing environment. A key point is that up to 16 cordless tools can connect to one controller, over Wi-Fi, without needing any special licenses.”
For plants dealing with complex workflows or tool-heavy production lines, that level of integration is a major leap forward.
Top Features That Set the mPro250 Apart
1. Connect Up to 16 Cordless Tools Over Wi-Fi
This is the flagship capability, and a huge differentiator.
With many controllers, expanding tool count comes with added licensing fees or hardware requirements. The mPro250 avoids that entirely:
- – Supports up to 16 Wi-Fi cordless tools
- – No special licenses required
- – All managed through a single, streamlined interface
For manufacturers scaling operations or standardizing plant-wide tooling, that’s a massive operational advantage.
2. Optional Built-In Access Point With Industry-Leading Range
One standout detail from the controller’s technical overview:
- – 183 meters (200 yards) of wireless range
- – 150% more than the previous mPro200 controller
- – Supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, plus Bluetooth 5.1
This level of coverage makes it ideal for:
- – Large production floors
- – Multi-bay assembly areas
- – Facilities where network infrastructure is limited or stretched thin
Plus, the built-in access point means plants don’t have to rely solely on existing Wi-Fi networks. That’s especially valuable for older facilities or layouts where connectivity is a struggle.
3. Strong Network Encryption & Authentication Options
Security is no longer optional in manufacturing environments, especially as more tools become wireless and IoT-enabled.
The mPro250 supports modern authentication protocols, including:
- – WEP
- – WPA / WPA2 / WPA3 (Personal & Enterprise)
With increasing emphasis on plant network protection, Robert noted that this controller’s authentication capabilities offer increased network protection right out of the box.
4. A New Operating System That’s Even Faster
The performance upgrade is dramatic. Based on the technical comparison:
- – mPro200 load time: 1.98 seconds
- – mPro250 load time: 0.33 seconds
That’s 6x faster responsiveness.
Pair that with a redesigned interactive touchscreen and improved UI, and technicians gain a far more responsive experience when setting up, monitoring, or troubleshooting tools.
5. Backwards Compatible With Previous Cleco Wireless Tools
This is one of Robert’s favorite features, and one of the most practical. It’s fully backwards compatible with previous Cleco wireless tools.
For facilities already invested in Cleco systems, this means they can upgrade controllers without needing to replace their existing tool fleet. The migration is smooth, cost-effective, and disruption-free.
Why Robert Is Excited, and Why You Should Be Too
In his words, the mPro250 represents:
- – More flexibility for tool integration
- – Better network protection
- – Simpler setup and scaling
- – A controller that grows with the plant
For any manufacturing environment relying on cordless assembly tools, this controller is a major step forward in capability, connectivity, and long-term value.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re exploring cordless assembly integration or want to see whether the Cleco mPro250 would benefit your facility, our tools team is here to help.
Reach out to us anytime. We’d be happy to walk through the capabilities, compatibility, and best applications for your production environment.
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