maxon ESCON2 Amplifier - Tutorial
maxon ESCON2
(updated on 2/26/2026)
General Information ​
​The ESCON2 60/12 can easily interface with a DAQ or control system via analog or digital I/O, or via CANopen/USB/serial bus — giving you maximum flexibility for integration. It supports both current (torque) mode and speed (velocity) mode. Its analog or digital outputs can be used for monitoring motor current, speed, or status (e.g. for data logging or oscilloscope use). Using the free Motion Studio configuration software from maxon, you can set up safety and operational parameters — including enable/disable inputs, current limits, temperature monitoring, fault handling, and more. We configure the drive prior to shipment and provide the configuration files along with the unit.
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For more information regarding the amplifier itself, check the resource below.
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1) Link to maxon ESCON2 Hardware Reference Document: Link (external link to maxon)
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When you purchase an EMB plant with the ESCON2, we wire the drive to the motor, power supply (leads), and DAQ (connector or leads). We also configure the drive to either current or voltage mode, per your request. Our default, and recommendation, is to use current control. Below you will find details about our standard configuration of the ESCON2.​
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You can download the configuration file (maxon Motion Studio Project) and flash to your own ESCON2 drive, should you need to (reset drive, purchased a drive separately, or want to explore different configurations).
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To flash the drive, configure, troubleshoot, or monitor internal parameters of the ESCON2 amplifier, you will need a USB cable (included with the EMB kit) and the software provided by maxon called Motion Studio Software. It is free from maxon's website.
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​You can download our standard configuration by clicking here: EMB_MAXON_ESCON2_CURRENT.ZIP (2KB).
This configuration is for the EMB-DAQ2 (National Instruments PCIe-6321 based DAQ) and the EMB-AM2 brushless motor with internal incremental encoder and hall sensors.
Make sure to always use the latest version and to fully validate that your DAQ and plant are working as expected, specially the safety features.​​​
Motor ​
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Motor specs for the EMB-AM2 (Brushless Motor)
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Sensors ​
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Motor specs for the EMB-AM2 (Brushless Motor), configure the hall sensors and encoder (inside the EMB-AM2).
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Controller, Regulation ​
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Motor specs for the EMB-AM2 (Brushless Motor).
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Controller, Commutation ​
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Motor specs for the EMB-AM2 (Brushless Motor), make sure Sinusoidal Commutation is selected.
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Units ​
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Motor specs for the EMB-AM2 (Brushless Motor), no changes needed from default.
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Limits ​
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Motor specs for the EMB-AM2 (Brushless Motor), we limit the max output current to 5A and max velocity to 8040 rpm. You can change these values to limit your system to safe levels. The limits chosen here provide significant power capability.
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Motion Profile ​
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Motor specs for the EMB-AM2 (Brushless Motor), default settings.
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Device Control ​
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Motor specs for the EMB-AM2 (Brushless Motor), default settings.
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Digital Inputs​
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Digital Input 1: Enable signal. For the EMB-DAQ2, connected to PORT A/B pin 3. It is the return of the E-STOP and a DAQ Digital Output.
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Digital Output ​
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Motor specs for the EMB-AM2 (Brushless Motor), we don't use any digital outputs from the ESCON2 in the standard configuration.
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Analog Inputs ​
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Analog Input 1: Current set value. For the EMB-DAQ2, connected to PORT A/B pin 1. This is the command set point for current (analog output from the EMB-DAQ2, analog input in the ESCON2), -10V to +10V range.
Note relationship of -10V is a command current of -5A and +10V is a command current of +5A.​​​​
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Analog Outputs ​
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This port is used to connect the Maxon ESCON2 amplifier analog outputs to our DAQ. We use two DAQ analog inputs to read current measurement (averaged) and velocity (averaged) from the ESCON2's analog output 1 and 2.
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Analog Output 1: Typically connected to EMB-DAQ2 PORT A/B pin 6. Note that the ESCON2 analog output range is from -4V to 4V. We configure -5A as -4V and +5A as 4V (linearly interpolated).​​
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Analog Output 2: Typically connected to EMB-DAQ2 PORT A/B pin 7. Note that the ESCON2 analog output range is from -4V to 4V. We configure -5000rpm as -4V and +5000rpm as 4V (linearly interpolated).
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