About

Ionic Mechatronics is a Northern Ontario-based automation company with 25 years of experience delivering innovative engineering solutions to heavy industry. With a team of 40 engineers, electricians, and technologists, they design and manufacture advanced automation systems that improve safety and productivity. Their portfolio includes world-first innovations such as the robotic copper stripping machine, the safest uranium drumming machine, and the SafeBox lockout/tagout (LOTO) automation system. Ionic exports equipment worldwide and continues to strengthen Ontario’s reputation as a hub for industrial innovation.

Project

With support from the CIT Technology Access Program and the NORCAT Underground Centre, Ionic Mechatronics is installing an Ontario-made SafeBox lockout/tagout automation system alongside their SafeGap cybersecurity module for testing, validation, and demonstration. The project will demonstrate the Ontario-made SafeBox at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9, proving its reliability in an operational mining environment, while advancing SafeGap from TRL 4 to 8 by validating secure data transfer from air-gapped safety networks to cloud dashboards. Testing will include fault simulations to demonstrate SafeBox’s 99% diagnostic coverage and fail-safe behavior under real-world underground conditions. This installation not only showcases SafeBox’s ability to improve safety and productivity but also provides the first underground validation of SafeGap’s unique cybersecurity capabilities.

Impact

The project will drive market confidence in SafeBox and SafeGap, positioning them for widespread adoption across industrial sectors. By showcasing the technology at NORCAT, Ionic expects to increase sales of SafeBox systems by four units annually, representing approximately $4M in additional revenue for Ontario-designed and manufactured products. This growth will support 2 to 4 new high-skill jobs in Northern Ontario while generating new opportunities for local fabricators, installers, and distributors across the supply chain.