New compact EPOS programmable smart drive/controller from maxon with EtherCAT

With the EPOS4 Compact 50/8 EtherCAT and EPOS4 Compact 50/15 EtherCAT, maxon launches the first compact devices compatible with the fast industrial Ethernet connection EtherCAT. The fully integrated, plug-and-play positioning controller in a compact design is perfectly suited for use in networks with cycle times up to 1 msec.

EPOS is a modular, digital positioning controller from maxon motor suitable for controlling permanent magnet-activated motors with encoders in a range of 1 to 1050 W continuous output power. The wide range of operating modes, as well as various command interfaces, make it versatile for use in many different drive systems in the fields of automation technology and mechatronics.

The functionality, operation, software, and accessories of the new controllers are derived directly from existing products in the EPOS4 range. The devices are suitable for use with both brushed DC and brushless EC motors (BLDC) and come with comprehensive feedback options such as Hall sensors, as well as incremental and SSI absolute encoders. State-of-the art concepts such as FOC, feed forward, and observer control allow optimal control in a wide variety of applications.

The existing digital and analog inputs and outputs are freely configurable and ideally matched to the numerous functions and operating modes of CiA-402 positioning controllers. Products are set up using the EPOS Studio graphical user interface (Version 3.4 and higher) for Windows PCs. In addition to the intuitive commissioning software, Windows DLL and Linux Shared Objects libraries are freely available to make integration into a wide variety of master systems as easy as possible.

For more information on the EPOS Positioning Controller, visit https://www.maxonmotor.com/maxon/view/content/epos-detailsite.