Motion controller
maxon EPOS4 motion controller
Modular positioning controllers for brushed and brushless maxon motors, in module, compact, micro and housed formats with CANopen or EtherCAT.
Key specifications
| Supply | 10-60 Vdc |
|---|---|
| Feedback | Hall sensors, incremental encoder, SSI absolute encoder, analog incremental |
| Fieldbus | CANopen, EtherCAT, USB, RS232 |
| Continuous current (max) | 20 A |
| Peak current (max) | 40 A |
| Safety | STO SIL3/PLe on 60/20 STO variants |
Summarised in our own words from maxon group (maxon motor ag)'s published data; series maxima, individual models vary. Last checked 2026-10-29. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3
Notes on this data
Maxima from EPOS4 Module 60/20 STO (20 A cont, 40 A for 15 s, 10-60 V). 50/15: 15 A / 30 A, 10-50 V. Variants 24/1.5 to 60/20 plus 3-axis compact 24/5. Motors up to ~1,200 W. Reclassified 2026-10-30 from servo-drives/dc-drive: EPOS4 is a positioning controller (drive with integrated position control).
Specify Motion is not affiliated with maxon group (maxon motor ag). maxon and EPOS4 are used only to identify the product. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
maxon EPOS4 model codes
Published model codes in the EPOS4 range. Search this page for your part number, or send it to us for availability or an equivalent.
| Model code | Description |
|---|---|
| 638328 | EPOS4 Micro 24/5 CAN |
| 654731 | EPOS4 Micro 24/5 EtherCAT |
| 536630 | EPOS4 Module 24/1.5 |
| 546714 | EPOS4 Compact 24/1.5 CAN |
| 628092 | EPOS4 Compact 24/1.5 EtherCAT |
| 546047 | EPOS4 50/5 |
| 534130 | EPOS4 Module 50/5 |
| 541718 | EPOS4 Compact 50/5 CAN |
| 628094 | EPOS4 Compact 50/5 EtherCAT |
| 594385 | EPOS4 70/15 |
| 504384 | EPOS4 Module 50/8 |
| 520885 | EPOS4 Compact 50/8 CAN |
| 605298 | EPOS4 Compact 50/8 EtherCAT |
| 688770 | EPOS4 Disk 60/8 CAN |
| 688772 | EPOS4 Disk 60/8 EtherCAT |
| 688775 | EPOS4 Disk 60/12 CAN |
| 688777 | EPOS4 Disk 60/12 EtherCAT |
| 504383 | EPOS4 Module 50/15 (15 A cont., 30 A peak, 10-50 VDC) |
| 520886 | EPOS4 Compact 50/15 CAN |
| 605299 | EPOS4 Compact 50/15 EtherCAT |
| 833716 | EPOS4 Module 60/20 |
| 894249 | EPOS4 Module 60/20 STO (20 A cont., 40 A peak, 10-60 VDC) |
| 894250 | EPOS4 Compact 60/20 CAN |
| 833726 | EPOS4 Compact 60/20 CAN STO |
| 684519 | EPOS4 Compact 24/5 EtherCAT 3-axes |
Typical applications
Alternatives that meet or exceed these figures
Engineers often come to us with a maxon part number and leave with an alternative that is easier to source, quicker to deliver or a better fit for the machine. These 2 series from our supply network are the closest match on published figures.
Slim 54 mm EtherCAT motion controller programmed in CODESYS, running up to 32 synchronised axes on a 1 ms cycle with RP20 I/O expansion.
View AK (AK8 / AK840) →CODESYS-based PLC/motion controller with EtherCAT for 8, 16 or 32 axes plus 6 local pulse axes, dual-core SOC+FPGA and 32-module R2 I/O expansion.
View MC500 (MC508CS / MC516CS / MC532CS) →Figures are the highest published for each series and are not always measured the same way. A higher figure is not automatically a better choice: mounting, duty cycle, feedback, connectors and approvals matter too. An engineer will check the fit against your application before recommending anything.
What a motion controller is
A motion controller plans and coordinates movement for one or more axes, sending position, velocity or torque commands to servo or stepper drives. It generates trajectories with defined acceleration and jerk, synchronises axes for interpolation, electronic gearing and camming, and handles homing, limits and registration inputs. Commands reach drives over pulse, analogue or, most commonly now, EtherCAT and other real-time networks. Many controllers also include PLC functions to IEC 61131-3, combining logic and motion.
When engineers choose a motion controller
Choose a dedicated motion controller when a machine needs coordinated multi-axis motion beyond basic point-to-point moves, such as robots, gantries, packaging and CNC. It gives deterministic timing and motion libraries. The trade-offs are cost, programming effort and ecosystem lock-in. For simple machines with a few independent axes, a PLC with motion function blocks or intelligent drives with stored moves may be enough.
How to specify the maxon EPOS4
Send these with your enquiry and an engineer can confirm the right EPOS4 variant or an equivalent:
- Number of axes and drives
- Network and cycle time (ms)
- Motion functions: interpolation, camming, robotics
- Programming environment and languages
- I/O and expansion
- HMI and connectivity
- Safety integration
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a controller that does not support the drives' network
- Underestimating cycle time needs for many axes
- Ignoring programming tools and skills in the team
- Not planning for future axis count
maxon EPOS4: frequently asked questions
What is the maxon EPOS4?
Modular positioning controllers for brushed and brushless maxon motors, in module, compact, micro and housed formats with CANopen or EtherCAT. Published series figures include continuous current 20 A, peak current 40 A. It is made by maxon group (maxon motor ag); Specify Motion can help source it or propose an equivalent.
Who makes the maxon EPOS4?
The maxon EPOS4 is made by maxon (maxon group (maxon motor ag)) and is listed here for engineers comparing options. Specify Motion is not affiliated with maxon group (maxon motor ag); brand names are used only to identify the product.
What model codes are in the maxon EPOS4 range?
The EPOS4 range includes 638328, 654731, 536630, 546714, 628092, 546047, 534130, 541718 and 17 more. The table on this page lists each published model code with its key figures. Send us the code you use, or the one you need to replace, and our engineers will confirm availability, lead time or the closest equivalent.
What is the continuous current of the maxon EPOS4?
The published series maximum continuous current is 20 A. Individual models and sizes in the EPOS4 range vary, so check the exact variant against your duty cycle, mounting and environment, or ask our engineers to confirm the right size for you.
Is there an alternative to the maxon EPOS4?
Yes. On published figures, Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840) and Leadshine MC500 (MC508CS / MC516CS / MC532CS) are the closest match from our supply network. An engineer confirms the fit against your application before recommending anything.
What is the difference between a motion controller and a PLC?
A PLC handles machine logic, sequencing and I/O. A motion controller specialises in trajectory planning and coordinating axes. Many modern controllers combine both, running PLC logic and motion libraries on one CPU. Choose based on axis count, motion complexity and timing requirements.
Why is EtherCAT common for motion control?
EtherCAT offers short cycle times, precise synchronisation using distributed clocks and simple cabling, which suit coordinated multi-axis motion. Many drives and I/O devices support it. Other real-time networks such as PROFINET IRT and Sercos are also used, so check what the drives and controller support.
Further reading: How to select a motion controller or plc · Controllers and PLCs
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