Program a Maxon EPOS Motion Controller from LabVIEW
Primary Software: LabVIEW Development Systems>>Base Package
Primary Software Version: 8.2
Primary Software Fixed Version: 7.0
Secondary Software: Driver Software>>NI-CAN
Hardware: Industrial Communications>>CAN
Problem: How can I communicate with my EPOS (Easy Positioning System) controller from Maxon?
Solution: In order to communicate with an EPOS Controller from Maxon, you have two options:
- CANopen: If you use the CANopen Library you need to know the commands and address that will lead to the specific action you desire. For example the value xF x0 and the address x6040 resets the
Power Up Error when you turn on the EPOS. The online manual should have more information about the operations and their parameters.
- EPOS Instrument Driver: Attached you will find the EPOS Instrument Driver, which you can easily unzip to the
instr.lib folder. With this library you can use high level commands to set a new position, new velocity, new trajectories or to read information. Attached you can find a small example to read values and to set positions.
Note: It´s important to set the right PID-Parameters when working with the Current, Position and Velocity Loops. You can do this with EPOS Studio, a tool which is coming free with any EPOS. You can download the newest version from
maxon motor homepage.
To communicate with the EPOS you need a HighSpeed CAN Device from National Instruments.
Controller Area Network (CAN)
Related Links:
Attachments: 
- EPOS.zip
Report Date: 03/28/2007
Last Updated: 02/19/2008
Document ID: 47R0HHRQ
