Ab Controls, Inc.
AB Controls, Inc. (MachineLogix) is a private Irvine, California-based custom automation and robotics systems integrator serving pharmaceutical, biotech, aerospace, defense, and manufacturing enterprises with turn-key laboratory automation, automated test equipment, and engineering services built on its proprietary Focus software platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersIrvine, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ab Controls, Inc. does
AB Controls, Inc. (operating as MachineLogix) is a private custom automation, robotics, and system integration company headquartered at 15530 Rockfield Blvd Suite B2, Irvine, California. The firm designs, manufactures, and sells turn-key laboratory automation systems, automated test equipment, and robotics integration solutions for enterprise customers in pharmaceutical, biotech, aerospace, defense, electronics, semiconductors, and light manufacturing. Named customers include Gilead, Pfizer, Amgen, Genentech, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Northrop Grumman, Panasonic, and Beckman Coulter, with active engagement at industry events such as the SLAS conference (Booth #1552 at SLAS2026 in Boston).
The technology stack centers on the proprietary Focus automation software platform, which integrates motion control, machine vision, digital/analog I/O, and laboratory instruments into unified applications with built-in VBA scripting and a TestLingo test executive. The product portfolio spans the Tix robotic titration work cell, Vix vial filling/capping/labeling system, Apix microplate and Cartesian robots, iX microplate stacker, Hix particle counting work cell, FIX PCB functional tester, UST switch tester, Lix laser test system, and TrackSense motorized track system. The company holds Authorized Systems Integrator status with Mitsubishi, National Instruments, Fanuc Robotics, and Cognex, and integrates Mettler Toledo analytical instruments, Allen Bradley PLCs, and Animatics smart motors.
Revenue is generated through three streams: custom automation systems and equipment (fixed-price quotes, multi-year contracts), engineering services (software, electrical, mechanical development on a project basis), and contract manufacturing for instruments, medical devices, and electro-mechanical assemblies. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales with consultative engagement between AB Controls engineers and customer engineering teams, supported by educational content marketing on the MachineLogix website and direct contact forms. No public pricing exists; each solution is custom-quoted. The company claims typical ROI payback within six months of deployment.
Ab Controls, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ab Controls, Inc.
- Legal name
- AB Controls, Inc.
- Website
- https://machinelogix.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AB Controls, Inc. (MachineLogix) is a private Irvine, California-based custom automation and robotics systems integrator serving pharmaceutical, biotech, aerospace, defense, and manufacturing enterprises with turn-key laboratory automation, automated test equipment, and engineering services built on its proprietary Focus software platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ab Controls, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Laboratory Automation Equipment
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lab Automation, Instrument Control & Workflow Orchestration Software (HLAGAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Control System Integration & Engineering Services (Design, Commissioning, Retrofits) (IMAGABAK), Process & Batch Control Software (Recipe Management, ISA-88) (IMAGABAH)
Keywords
Where Ab Controls, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Irvine
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ab Controls, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Automation Systems and Equipment: Design, manufacture, and sale of custom automated test equipment, laboratory automation systems, and robotic integration solutions. Customers receive complete turn-key systems with fixed price quotes.
- Engineering Services: Custom software, electrical, electronics, and mechanical engineering services for automation projects. Includes consulting, design, and development work for customers looking to outsource portions of their development process.
- Contract Manufacturing: Manufacturing of equipment, instruments, medical devices, control panels, and electro-mechanical assemblies for customers. Includes production of custom equipment designed by the company as well as manufacturing for other companies' designs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Automated Test Equipment |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Laboratory Automation Systems |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Engineering Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Ab Controls, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AB Controls, Inc. (MachineLogix) designs and manufactures custom laboratory automation workstations and automated test equipment for pharmaceutical, biotech, aerospace, defense, and medical device manufacturers. The company integrates third-party industrial robotic arms (FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, Mitsubishi Electric, Stäubli, Universal Robots) with its proprietary Focus automation software and FocusOnTest test executive to deliver turnkey, process-specific automation solutions.
Product overview
Ab Controls, Inc. (operating as MachineLogix) offers a portfolio of turn-key laboratory automation systems, automated test equipment, and robotics integration solutions. The core laboratory automation products include Tix (robotic titration), Apix-PH (pH measurement), Vix (vial filling/capping/labeling), Hix (particle counting), Cix (capper/uncapper), Mix (compound management), iX (microplate stacker), Trx (pipette tip robot), and Apix (microplate robot). The automated test equipment line includes FIX (PCB functional tester), UST (switch tester), and specialized test systems for calorimeters, helium leaks, and lasers. The Focus automation software serves as the core platform across all systems, enabling integration of motion control, vision, digital/analog I/O, and instruments. Supporting services include robotic arm integration (Mitsubishi, Kawasaki, Janome), custom engineering, product development, and contract manufacturing. Industries served include pharmaceutical, biotech, aerospace, medical devices, and light manufacturing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Tix: Automated Robotic Titration Work Cell for Karl Fischer titration
- Vix
- Apix
- iX
- Hix
- Cix
- Trx
- FIX
- UST
- Lix
- Focus
- FocusOnTest
Products and services
- Tix Automated Titration System Automated titration workstation for analytical and quality-control laboratories that performs titration runs without manual operator intervention.
- Apix-PH Automated pH Measurement System Automated pH measurement workstation for analytical and QC labs that delivers repeatable pH readings across sample batches.
- Vix Vial Filling, Capping and Labeling System Automated vial filling, capping, and labeling workstation for sample preparation and compounding workflows.
- Hix Automated Particle Counting System Automated particle counting workstation for analytical laboratories running particulate analysis on samples.
- Cix Capper/Uncapper System Automated capper/uncapper workstation for sample tubes and vials in laboratory workflows.
- Mix Compound Management System Automated compound management workstation for pharmaceutical and biotech R&D labs that need to store, retrieve, and track compound samples.
- iX Microplate Stacker Microplate stacker that feeds and stacks plates for downstream automated laboratory instruments.
- Trx Pipette Tip Robot Automated pipette tip handling workstation used as a building block in laboratory automation workflows.
- Apix Cartesian Robot System Cartesian robot workstation for automated microplate handling and other laboratory pick-and-place tasks.
- FIX PCB Functional Tester Automated functional tester for printed circuit boards, used in electronics and aerospace production test.
- UST Universal Switch Tester Automated universal switch tester for electromechanical switch qualification on production lines.
- Automated Calorimeter Test System Custom automated test system for calorimeter subassemblies, built for production or qualification test of thermal/energy devices.
- Automated Helium Leak Test System Custom automated helium leak test system for sealed subassemblies used in aerospace, defense, and electronics manufacturing.
- Lix Automated Laser Test System Automated laser test workstation for laser-based subassemblies and modules.
- Focus Industrial Automation Software Proprietary cross-platform automation software that orchestrates industrial robotic arms and laboratory instruments into unified workstations.
- FocusOnTest Test Executive Test executive software built on the Focus platform for sequencing and executing automated test routines on automated test equipment.
- TrackSense Motorized Track System Motorized track system used to move samples, plates, or subassemblies between stations within a custom automation workcell.
- Engineering Services Custom electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineering services for laboratory automation and automated test equipment projects.
- Contract Manufacturing Contract manufacturing services for OEM customers that need automation equipment, instruments, or subassemblies built to spec in the company's facility.
- Custom Automation Solutions End-to-end custom automation project work spanning concept, design, build, integration, and deployment of customer-specific automation systems.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2400% efficiency improvement in laser testing (8 hours manual to 10 minutes automated)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ab Controls, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ab Controls, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration35 records
Feature8 records
Ab Controls, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- MitsubishicoreMitsubishi Authorized Systems Integrator with extensive expertise using Mitsubishi family of automation and process electric hardware and equipment. The partnership enables integration of Mitsubishi robotic arms (SCARA and articulated) and PLC systems into customer automation solutions.
- National InstrumentscoreCertified LabVIEW Developers and National Instruments Alliance Members. Specializes in Automated Test Solutions development, Real Time (FPGA) Control and Data Acquisition (DAQ) utilizing NI Modules and Toolkits.
- Fanuc RoboticscoreAuthorized System Integrator with FANUC Robotics America, Inc. Enables deployment of Fanuc industrial robots in automation solutions.
- CognexcoreCognex Certified System Integrator. Specializes in vision system integration for automation applications including inspection and quality control.
- Mettler ToledocoreIntegration partner for analytical instruments including titrators (DL31 and V20) and precision balances (XP series) used in laboratory automation systems like the Tix titration work cell.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ab Controls, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Instruments (Emerson): National Instruments' LabVIEW and TestStand are core platforms AB Controls builds on, but Emerson/NI also offers application services and integrated test systems that compete with AB Controls' FIX, UST and Lix test equipment lines.
- PerkinElmer: PerkinElmer sells liquid handling (EP3) and lab automation at scale and is both a partner (AB Controls integrates with EP3) and a broad incumbent competitor across analytical instruments and automation.
- Mitsubishi Electric Automation: Mitsubishi is both a technology partner (AB Controls is an Authorized Systems Integrator) and a broad incumbent offering its own robotics, PLCs and automation software that compete with AB Controls' integrated offerings.
- FANUC America: FANUC is a robotics OEM and AB Controls Authorized System Integrator partner; FANUC also supports a network of competing integrators, making it both a partner and an indirect competitor for system integration deals.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher offers laboratory automation, instruments and integrated workflows across pharma and biotech — a broad incumbent competing in the same end markets where AB Controls sells lab automation.
- Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation (Allen Bradley) is a strategic partner of AB Controls for PLCs and motion control, but also a broad incumbent in industrial automation software (RSLogix, FactoryTalk) competing for integrated automation work.
Direct peers
- Hamilton Company: Hamilton provides automated liquid handling workstations, robotic pipetting and lab automation for pharma/biotech — a direct competitor in the same microplate, compound management and walk-away automation space as AB Controls.
- Hudson Robotics: Hudson Robotics builds custom laboratory automation systems and integrated robotic workcells for life sciences and pharma — directly comparable to AB Controls' Tix, Vix and Apix lab automation product family.
- Beckman Coulter Life Sciences: Beckman Coulter's Biomek liquid handling platforms compete directly with AB Controls' Trx and Apix products; Beckman Coulter is also a customer of AB Controls for custom integration work, making it a partner-competitor.
- Tecan: Tecan is a global leader in laboratory automation for life sciences, including liquid handling, plate readers and integrated workcells — competing head-to-head with AB Controls for pharma/biotech lab automation RFPs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ab Controls, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceAb Controls, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ab Controls, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ab Controls, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ab Controls, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ab Controls, Inc.
What does Ab Controls, Inc. do?
AB Controls, Inc. (MachineLogix) designs and manufactures custom laboratory automation workstations and automated test equipment for pharmaceutical, biotech, aerospace, defense, and medical device manufacturers. The company integrates third-party industrial robotic arms (FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, Mitsubishi Electric, Stäubli, Universal Robots) with its proprietary Focus automation software and FocusOnTest test executive to deliver turnkey, process-specific automation solutions.
Is Ab Controls, Inc. a public or private company?
Ab Controls, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ab Controls, Inc. founded?
Ab Controls, Inc. was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ab Controls, Inc. based?
Ab Controls, Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ab Controls, Inc. make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Automation Systems and Equipment is the primary driver. The others are engineering Services and contract Manufacturing.
Who are Ab Controls, Inc.'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Instruments (Emerson), PerkinElmer, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, FANUC America, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Rockwell Automation. Direct peers are Hamilton Company, Hudson Robotics, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences and Tecan.
Does Ab Controls, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ab Controls, Inc..
What industry is Ab Controls, Inc. in?
Ab Controls, Inc.'s product category is Laboratory Automation Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAJAG, Lab Automation, Instrument Control & Workflow Orchestration Software, with a secondary code of IMAGABAG, Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3823.