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Configuring Digital I/O Inputs on EPOS4 Compact 50/5 for Basic BLDC Motor Control?

Configuring Digital I/O Inputs on EPOS4 Compact 50/5 for Basic BLDC Motor Control?

Configuring Digital I/O Inputs on EPOS4 Compact 50/5 for Basic BLDC Motor Control?

(OP)
Hi all,

I have a BLDC motor and a complementary controller/driver, the EPOS4 Compact 50/5.

I've successfully paired the motor with the controller using EPOS Studio, and everything works as it should.

Now to my issue:
I can't find any relevant documents or tutorials on how to use EPOS Studio, specifically on utilizing the Digital I/O inputs to control the basic functionality of the motor (e.g., start rotation, stop rotation).

The Setup
I have a PLC that sends TTL level signals (5V) which should be received by the Digital Input pins on the EPOS4 controller. These TTL signals should control the following functions of the motor:
  • Drive enable (energize the motor)
  • Start rotation
  • Stop rotation
That's it, no fancy motion profiles.

What I've Tried
Besides searching like crazy all over for the appropriate document, I had a quick chat with an expert (from the official representative of MAXON in my country), and he said that it is impossible, and I can only use CAN, USB, or RS232 communication methods.

Why I'm Still Asking
Firstly, the functionality of the Digital Inputs (in the EPOS Studio software) includes a "General Purpose" function (which by name implies that it can be configured to something specific by the user), and secondly, I'm having a hard time believing that an expensive and advanced controller like the EPOS4 can't control basic functions of the motor through the Digital Inputs.

I've spent a couple of days going through every document I could find regarding the EPOS4 controller, the BLDC motor, and the EPOS Studio software to figure out what this "General Purpose" function is and how I can define it. Unfortunately, the local representative's answer was ambiguous and not informative at all, something in the lines of "it's a general function, that all" (OK but WTH it does?).

Can anyone provide guidance or point me to resources on how to configure the Digital I/O inputs to control these basic motor functions?

Thanks in advance!
Replies continue below

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RE: Configuring Digital I/O Inputs on EPOS4 Compact 50/5 for Basic BLDC Motor Control?

Even though you don't need any specific motion profile I guess you still need to communicate that to the controller somehow.

Have you tried asking ChatGpt or Gemini?

RE: Configuring Digital I/O Inputs on EPOS4 Compact 50/5 for Basic BLDC Motor Control?

(OP)
Regarding the AI, yes but briefly, just to get a sense if this rout has any practical advises, but this wasn't that helpful.

Regarding the communication, the controller can be programed for specific functionality using a dedicated software (EPOS Studio).
But the question is how (if this is possible at all) to activate those programed functionalities using input signals (not commands; TTL signals) received by the EPOS4 controller through its Digital Input pins.

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