all its components are optimally matched – from the gearhead and motor to the sensors and control- ler. This is essential, particularly in highly inte- grated solutions. Getting the most out of a system requires a holistic approach to system optimization and an in-depth understanding of every component. Development starts with the customer A new platform starts not with the technology, but with the application. The central question is how to create genuine value for customers that gives them a competitive advantage. This may sound simple, but the enormous variety of applications makes it a challenging task. maxon’s activities span medical technology, robotics, and industrial auto- mation as well as mobility applications. The re- quirements vary accordingly. Time is another factor. The typical life cycle of a servo drive or motion control platform is seven to ten years. A platform therefore cannot be devel- oped solely for today’s requirements. The more important question is how customers, applications, and markets will change over the coming years. The real skill lies in identifying the broadest common denominator across these sometimes very different requirements – one that makes sense both technically and commercially. Only then does the actual evaluation of possible technical solutions begin. Many perspectives, one goal A platform is not created within a single develop- ment department. “Wisdom of the crowd” is not just a catchphrase here, but a guiding principle. We are convinced that an interdisciplinary approach leads to better solutions. Product Management takes the lead. It sets the direction and drives the product’s continued devel- opment together with the specialist departments involved. Global Sales specialists maintain close contact with customers and help to understand us- ers’ actual needs and pain points. Business Development teams know the applica- tions and markets, identify synergies, and recog- nize opportunities for new products. R&D, in turn, develops the appropriate technical solutions – from electronics hardware and embedded application software to control algorithms. Actual development begins only when these perspectives come together. Proven foundation, customized solution Platforms provide the basis for customer-specific solutions. Not every application can be optimally served by a standard product. At the same time, developing every solution from scratch would make sense neither technically nor economically. This is precisely where the strength of a platform lies. It provides a proven basis on which custom- er-specific adaptations can be implemented effi- ciently. Customers benefit from shorter develop-
ment times, predictable risks, and technology that has already been proven in numerous applications. At the same time, sufficient flexibility remains to meet specific requirements and create genuine points of differentiation. Innovation without disruption The development of a platform does not end with its market launch. It is continuously enhanced throughout its life cycle. The motion control world evolves through incremental innovation. Custom- ers expect stable products and long-term availabil- ity. At the same time, requirements continue to grow – in areas such as miniaturization, connec- tivity, safety, and software functionality. The challenge is to combine innovation with stability. New functions and technologies must be incorporated into the platform, while customers expect transitions between product generations to be as seamless as possible and their investments to remain protected over the long term. maxon therefore relies on regular firmware and software updates. These make it possible to intro- duce new functions and improvements without jeop- ardizing the stability of existing applications. This keeps a platform relevant for many years and allows it to evolve with the requirements of its users.
About Daniel Hug Daniel Hug heads Motion Control Services at maxon. In this role, he is responsible for the develop- ment of motion control platforms such as ESCON2 and EPOS4.
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