maxon UAV and drone drive systems

Fly longer and safer with maxon UAV drive systems

maxon guarantees the highest quality products, processes, and certification in the drone market. maxon’s UAV propulsion systems consist of BLDC motors, ESCs, and propellers built for the utmost safety and efficiency. They provide high thrust, high power density, optimal efficiency and long lifetime for the best environment resistance. maxon also offers custom drive modifications and developments for UAV projects. Benefit from more than 60 years of experience and drive technology that has been tested successfully time and time again on Mars.

Quality you can rely on

Quality you can rely on

Unmanned aerial vehicles require reliable components and, above all, energy-efficient drives that ensure the longest possible flight time. maxon BLDC motors and ESC meet these requirements without difficulty. maxon guarantees the unrivalled quality of its efficient, reliable and powerful propulsion systems for the drone industry. maxon has been EN 9100 certified (equivalent to AS 9100) since 2012. This standard was created specifically for companies that develop and produce components for the aerospace industry. maxon offers sustainability and stability, combined with efficient configuration management and traceability of parts. All maxon products rely on standardized designs, manufacturing processes and testing, to ensure top repeatability between parts.

Tested according to Aerospace Standard

Tested according to Aerospace Standards

As UAV applications and use cases grow to be more mature, operational safety of UAVs and corresponding components step into focus. maxon assists drone manufacturer with obtaining operational authorization by providing evidence of compliance to established and harsh aerospace environmental testing standards. Apart from standard maxon qualification testing during the developments, the entire UAV propulsion portfolio went through DO-160 G Environmental Testing. This harsh test campaign includes temperature, vibration, crash safety/shock and humidity tests according to the respective sections in the standard. The maxon drives were subjected to tests similar to the ones required for helicopter components qualification.

With successful passing of the tests, maxon majorly contributes to making drone applications safe and reliable.

Work with the best

Work with the best

For 60 years, we have focused on customer-specific solutions in drive system technology. Our brushed and brushless DC motors are used wherever the requirements are high and reliability is of the utmost concern. For more than 20 years, maxon’s drive technology has been driving the Mars rovers on the Red Planet and our engineers use the knowledge they have gained from these and other aerospace projects to further develop our expertise for serial production. maxon UAV propulsion systems benefit from this extensive experience to design custom drive solutions for use in the most demanding environments.

Profit from our UAV expertise

Benefit from our UAV expertise

The name maxon is not only synonymous with customized precision, it also stands for an extensive support network that guarantees the highest Swiss standards all over the world with over 3000 employees. A dedicated team of aerospace and drone technology experts who assist customers with every application from technical assessment over specifications review to prototypes, to testing and manufacturing – be it complex or multi-year development projects. Drawing on its extensive knowledge of the Aerospace industry, maxon has developed its own internal quality procedures and tests, including dedicated test equipment for analyzing each component of the propulsion system. Any new UAV component undergoes a series of qualification tests before release, assuring utmost safety.

Quality

UAV manufacturers benefit from maxon’s quality system and its extensive experience from motion control projects in the aviation and space industry.

Custom-made components

Over 1 million test cycles have been achieved, which is unprecedented in the market. maxon has dedicated equipment for UAV products testing under realistic conditions.

EN 9100

maxon is certified in accordance with ISO standard 9100 for the aerospace industry and is well versed in the RTCA DO-160/178/254 and MIL-810 industry standards. In addition, we comply with complex regulatory requirements such as international export control regimes.

Long and safe flights

We ensure the highest efficiency and reliability of our UAV propulsion systems through the strict quality system, optimal magnetic and winding design, best commutation algorithms, lowest weight at highest robustness and best propeller aerodynamics.

Commonly accepted aerospace standards

maxon strives to have a mature quality system in place, proven and certified in the medical (ISO13485) and aerospace (EN9100) industries. New UAV specific regulations are considered and supervised (e.g. FAA / EASA), making approval processes and risk assessment (SORA) easier.

DO-160G tested

The maxon UAV drive systems have been successfully tested against the aerospace environmental standard DO-160G.

Temperature and Temperature variation

Tested at a wide temperature range from -40°C to +70°C (operational), representing conditions that the products could experience through flights and their life cycles.

Harsh environmental conditions

The maxon environmental tests included humidity tests combined with varying temperatures. Maxon partners successfully tested the products also in sand & dust as well as salt spray conditions.

Vibration, shock and crash safety

The maxon UAV products, including propellers underwent a rigorous testing including vibrations and high shock loads that reflect harsh flight and landing conditions.

Static thrust and tilt testing

For reliable and trustworthy performance data, maxon carefully tested all the products with various propeller variants. Test conditions are transparently shared in the datasheets. A flight-simulating tilt test reflects lifetime testing (over one million cycles).

Experience

Drone technology is developing at the speed of light, and when experience and expertise are needed – maxon can offer both at a world-leading level.

60 years of experience

We have manufactured electric motors since 1961. Our drive technology has been driving the Mars rovers on the Red Planet for more than 20 years. Today, hundreds of drive systems can be found in aircrafts, helicopters, spacecrafts and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Dedicated UAV team

An experienced team of engineers and technicians support customers from the specification phase, prototype testing to the start of production and beyond. Strong partnerships ensure that maxon products are not a stand-alone solution but work seamlessly within UAV systems.

Strong R&D

Over 8% of maxon’s revenue flows into R&D, where more than 200 design engineers located in the USA, Europe and Asia are at work pushing the boundaries of technology.

Expertise

maxon is a reliable engineering partner with an in-depth understanding of project requirements and customer needs in the UAV and drone market.

Holistic UAV understanding

What is most important in the drone industry is the full knowledge of the perfect interplay of BLDC motors, controllers, and matching propellers at system level. We have it and understand it.

Fast and flexible

maxon has production facilities in the EU, Asia, and the USA.
Our customers benefit from fast manufacturing of small or large series, and the high flexibility makes it easy to accommodate special requirements.

Standard or customized

When the product specification or drive combination of standard products does not suffice, we develop custom drives with a complete set of components to build state-of-the-art drones that scale to meet enterprise needs.

Documentation and traceability

Best-in-class product documentation and traceability of parts are available for each product. In our in-house testing facility, every product is extensively tested, resulting in reliable and verified performance data.

Inspection and security drones rely on maxon’s UAV propulson systems

Our UAV products

Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)

maxon’s electronic speed controller (ESC) uses a sensorless closed-loop control algorithm that is still unrivalled in the UAV market. Individual calibration and advanced parameter settings ensure optimal field-oriented control (FOC) for each motor, with minimum power losses. The hardware is supported by the intuitive studio software, allowing the operator to commission and monitor relevant parameters and data to find the best setup.

Product
Weight (incl. cable, incl. housing)
LiPo Battery
Output current
Weight (incl. cable, incl. housing): 102 g
LiPo Battery: 3S - 12S LiPo Battery
Output current: 30A continuously / 90A peak
UAV-ESC 52/30

Electronic speed controller designed for professional UAV applications

Weight (incl. cable, incl. housing): 102 g
LiPo Battery: 3S - 12S LiPo Battery
Output current: 30A continuously / 90A peak
UAV-ESC 52/30 DroneCAN

DroneCAN compatibale electronic speed controller designed for professional UAV applications

Motors

maxon’s portfolio of BLDC UAV flat motors consists of outer runner motors with segmented magnets and high-temperature windings. Optimized air flow cooling and lightweight aviation-grade aluminum parts provide not only excellent performance, designed for extreme durability and maximum reliability in professional UAVs, but also maximum environmental protection and robustness.

Product
Thrust
Weight (incl. cable)
Propeller range
Thrust: Up to 290 g
Weight (incl. cable): 23 g
Propeller range : 5” – 6”
ECX 22 flat UAV

Ø 22 mm, brushless, up to 290 g thrust
Designed for small professional UAV applications

Thrust: Up to 290 g
Weight (incl. cable): 23 g
Propeller range : 5” – 6”
ECX 32 flat UAV

Ø 32 mm, brushless, up to 1.5 kg thrust
High power to weight ratio

Thrust: Up to 290 g
Weight (incl. cable): 23 g
Propeller range : 5” – 6”
ECX 42 flat UAV

Ø 42 mm, brushless, up to 2.4 kg thrust
High power to weight ratio

Thrust: Up to 290 g
Weight (incl. cable): 23 g
Propeller range : 5” – 6”
EC 69 flat UAV

Ø 69 mm, brushless, up to 8.1 kg thrust
Designed for professional UAV applications

Thrust: Up to 290 g
Weight (incl. cable): 23 g
Propeller range : 5” – 6”
EC 87 flat UAV

Ø 87 mm, brushless, up to 9 kg thrust
Designed for professional UAV applications

Propellers

We partner with leading propeller manufacturers to deliver systems where all elements are optimally matched. Therefore, the maxon UAV products are tested and paired with high-quality propellers.

Product
Diameter
Pitch
Weight
Diameter : 14” (356 mm)
Pitch: 4.5” measured at 75% of propeller blade
Weight: 18 g
Propeller 14x4.5”

Mejzlik multicopter propeller 14x4.5”

Diameter : 14” (356 mm)
Pitch: 4.5” measured at 75% of propeller blade
Weight: 18 g
Propeller 20x6.7”

Mejzlik multicopter propeller 20x6.7”

Diameter : 14” (356 mm)
Pitch: 4.5” measured at 75% of propeller blade
Weight: 18 g
Propeller 22x7.4”

Mejzlik multicopter propeller 22x7.4”

Diameter : 14” (356 mm)
Pitch: 4.5” measured at 75% of propeller blade
Weight: 18 g
Propeller 24x8.1”

Mejzlik multicopter propeller 24x8.1”

Diameter : 14” (356 mm)
Pitch: 4.5” measured at 75% of propeller blade
Weight: 18 g
Propeller 26x8.7”

Mejzlik multicopter propeller 26x8.7”

Diameter : 14” (356 mm)
Pitch: 4.5” measured at 75% of propeller blade
Weight: 18 g
Propeller 28x9.4”

Mejzlik multicopter propeller 28x9.4”

Diameter : 14” (356 mm)
Pitch: 4.5” measured at 75% of propeller blade
Weight: 18 g
Propeller 30x10”

Mejzlik multicopter propeller 30x10”

Download our UAV Product Brochure, White Paper or the UAV-ESC Bundle

Having a reliable, dedicated, and powerful motorized solution is key to develop a drone successfully. Learn more and download our White Paper and UAV Product Brochure.

The UAV-ESC Bundle contains a complete package to get started with the maxon UAV portfolio. It includes the EPOS Studio software for commissioning, comprehensive documentation and predefined parameter files.

White Paper and Product Broschure White Paper Product Broschure UAV-ESC Bundle Product Broschure, UAV-ESC Bundle White Paper, UAV-ESC Bundle White Paper, Product Broschure
White Paper and Product Broschure White Paper Product Broschure UAV-ESC Bundle Product Broschure, UAV-ESC Bundle White Paper, UAV-ESC Bundle White Paper, Product Broschure

Download our UAV Product Brochure, White Paper or the UAV-ESC Bundle

Having a reliable, dedicated, and powerful motorized solution is key to develop a drone successfully. Learn more and download our White Paper and UAV Product Brochure.

The UAV-ESC Bundle contains a complete package to get started with the maxon UAV portfolio. It includes the EPOS Studio software for commissioning, comprehensive documentation and predefined parameter files.

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maxon offers customized UAV propulsion packages for inspection drones

See our motor technology in 3D and AR

See our motor technology in 3D and AR

Maximum power packed into tiny spaces. maxon drives feature high performance (or thrust), long service life, low power consumption and unsurpassed reliability. Dive into our brushless UAV motor technology.

Ready to take off – discover our UAV propulsion packages

maxon’s UAV packages combine BLDC motor, ESC and propeller into an optimized and perfectly matched propulsion system providing best-available efficiency and reliability. Operational safety and flight time are maximized, and the cost of ownership dramatically reduced.

The first drone to fly on Mars...

In April 2021, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter successfully completed its pioneering flight on Mars. Six specifically modified maxon micro motors control the drone’s flight direction. The lightweight and reliable design was a prerequisite for a successful flight on Mars, where there is hardly any atmosphere.

Read more

We offer 5000 products with over a million possible combinations. Orders through our online shop are ready for shipment within 2 - 11 working days.

Explore our full product range

These products offer unlimited options to equip your drone with additional actuators and drive units. Applications such as a winch system, payload actuator, flap actuator or landing gears benefit from the high-power density, compact and lightweight design of these drives.

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maxon supplies efficient UAV propulsion systems for long flights

Auterion & maxon

Transforming what drones can do.

UAV customers will benefit from the most advanced, open ecosystem of avionics and motors integration in the drone industry, which joins Auterion’s module Skynode and maxon’s best-in-class BLDC motors and ESCs. The joint goal is to leverage both companies’ know-how to make drone operation, development, and fleet management easy for customers at dramatically reduced costs.

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What our customers have to say

Our UAV experts advise you on all aspects of drone drives. Around the world.

Ask our experts

maxon gives customers all the benefits of buying UAV products from a global manufacturer and the advantages of dealing with a specialized local team. Our engineers have years of experience in drive technology across a wide variety of industries.

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