Custom ESCs electronic speed controller

The Custom ESCs is an electronic speed controller from Plettenberg with professional grade and dual-use market availability. Custom ESCs are brushless electronic speed controllers from Plettenberg, a German maker of electric drive systems, for propulsion motors of uncrewed aircraft and other demanding applications. The controller regulates the electrical power supplied to a brushless DC (BLDC) motor and links the power source with the command path of the aircraft.

The maker develops and manufactures its ESCs at its headquarters in Baunatal, Germany, and builds them by hand. The designs are optimised for low weight and for a high power-to-weight ratio, which helps range and endurance in an aircraft installation. The embedded software is written in-house and can be tailored to the requirements of the application, so a customised controller can be configured around the motor, the power supply and the control interface of a particular platform.

Plettenberg offers a standard line of motor ESCs with model names that follow the pattern MST voltage-current, from the MST 35-45 up to the MST 400-200 WK. Two of these, the MST 140-250 WK and the MST 400-200 WK, are water cooled. A custom controller is derived through a project with the maker's engineering team. No electrical ratings are published for the custom type, as they depend on the project.

On integration, the maker recommends using its motors and ESCs together as one system. It states that mixing with competing products often leads to poor use of the motor, reduced efficiency and, in some cases, damage to the motor, which shortens operational reach and use time. Its engineering team supports system integration, including ESC configuration, the ideal power supply and thermal management.

Applications named by the maker for its drive systems include uncrewed systems, racing and sports, robotics and automation, medical and laboratory equipment, and industrial tools. For aircraft, such a controller suits multirotor and fixed-wing propulsion with brushless outrunner or inrunner motors.