Compact controller communicates via EtherCAT

The EPOS4 Compact positioning controllers from maxon are ready for effortless, industrial Ethernet connectivity.

maxon motor ag: The devices from the successful EPOS4 Compact series can now also be incorporated into EtherCAT networks, thereby creating new opportunities for a huge range of applications.

The space-saving design of maxon's EPOS4 Compact positioning controllers has already won them plenty of admirers in the CANopen world. Now the controllers speak an extra language: The new EtherCAT models comply with the CoE standard (CAN application layer over EtherCAT) and can be easily integrated into existing EtherCAT networks.

The new, intelligent motion controllers with realtime communication offer a simple, plug-and-play solution for controlling brushed DC and brushless EC motors (BLDC) with peak currents of up to 30A. With their modular design, they are particularly suited to applications with single or multi-axis systems in small devices and machines, as well as robotics.

Customers are also offered an extensive range of accessories to make the connection and integration process as easy as possible. Besides the intuitive “EPOS Studio” software, Windows DLL and Linux Shared Objects Libraries are also freely available for incorporating the controllers into a variety of master systems. A detailed set of product documents rounds out the offer.

The versatile EtherCAT controllers are available immediately in two power versions: 50V/8A and 50V/15A. Other variants in the Compact series (EPOS4 Compact 24/1.5 EtherCAT & EPOS4 Compact 50/5 EtherCAT) will follow by the end of 2018.