PCB-mount driveLegacy
ODrive v3.6 PCB-mount drive
Original open-hardware ODrive board in 24 V and 56 V versions with up to 120 A peak per motor, USB, UART and CAN; now Not Recommended for New Designs.
ODrive Robotics lists this series as legacy. The manufacturer's recommended replacement: ODrive S1. We can help with spares for installed machines, a migration to the replacement, or an alternative. Find a replacement.
Key specifications
| Voltage (max) | 56 V |
|---|---|
| Data / bus | USB, UART, CAN, step/direction, PWM |
| Supply | 12–24 VDC or 12–56 VDC versions |
| Feedback | absolute encoders, incremental encoders with index, Hall sensors |
| Peak current (max) | 120 A |
Summarised in our own words from ODrive Robotics's published data; series maxima, individual models vary. Last checked 2026-10-30. Source 1
Notes on this data
Marked NRND on the shop page, which recommends the ODrive S1. Continuous current depends on cooling and is not stated.
Specify Motion is not affiliated with ODrive Robotics. ODrive Robotics and ODrive v3.6 are used only to identify the product. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Typical applications
Alternatives that meet or exceed these figures
Engineers often come to us with an ODrive Robotics part number and leave with an alternative that is easier to source, quicker to deliver or a better fit for the machine. These 3 series from our supply network are the closest match on published figures.
ADVANCED Motion Controls' ultra-compact, high power-density digital servo drives for 10-90 VDC systems, up to 100 A continuous and 200 A peak. They come in PCB, machine-embedded, panel and development-board formats, carry STO as standard, and run EtherCAT, CANopen or Ethernet/IP. Extended-environment models are rated -40 to +95 C.
| Published maximum | ODrive v3.6 | FlexPro Digital Servo Drives (FE, FX, … |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous current | — | 100 A |
| Peak current | 120 A | 200 A meets or exceeds |
Ultra-miniature PCB-mount microstepping driver, 48 VDC, 1.5 A RMS, 16 on-the-fly resolutions to 51,200 steps/rev.
View Novanta IMS IM481H PLUS →Hybrid PCB-solder microstepping drivers: IM483H 48 V/3 A RMS and IM805H 75 V/5 A RMS, up to 51,200 steps/rev.
View Novanta IMS IM483H PLUS / IM805H PLUS →Figures are the highest published for each series and are not always measured the same way. A higher figure is not automatically a better choice: mounting, duty cycle, feedback, connectors and approvals matter too. An engineer will check the fit against your application before recommending anything.
What a PCB-mount drive is
A PCB-mount servo drive is a compact servo drive module designed to be soldered or plugged into a host circuit board, rather than mounted in a cabinet. It contains the power stage and control loops for brushless, brushed or stepper-style motors, with interfaces such as CANopen, EtherCAT, SPI or analogue. Some versions are supplied with evaluation or carrier boards. Very high power density lets them fit inside robots, medical devices and instruments.
When engineers choose a PCB-mount drive
Choose a PCB-mount drive when the motor control must be embedded in the product, such as surgical robots, exoskeletons, AGVs, drones and laboratory instruments. It saves space and weight and integrates with the host board. The trade-offs are design responsibility and thermal management: the host board must provide heatsinking, connectors, EMC and protection. For machines with space for cabinets, packaged drives are simpler.
How to specify the ODrive v3.6
Send these with your enquiry and an engineer can confirm the right ODrive v3.6 variant or an equivalent:
- Supply voltage (V DC)
- Continuous and peak current (A)
- Motor and feedback type
- Interface: CANopen, EtherCAT, SPI or analogue
- Size and mounting (mm)
- Thermal path and heatsinking
- Safety functions and approvals
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring the thermal path on the host board
- Not designing EMC filtering and protection
- Assuming evaluation board performance in a sealed product
- Leaving out testing for safety and medical approvals
ODrive v3.6: frequently asked questions
What is the ODrive v3.6?
Original open-hardware ODrive board in 24 V and 56 V versions with up to 120 A peak per motor, USB, UART and CAN; now Not Recommended for New Designs. Published series figures include voltage 56 V, peak current 120 A. It is made by ODrive Robotics; Specify Motion can help source it or propose an equivalent.
Who makes the ODrive v3.6?
The ODrive v3.6 is made by ODrive Robotics and is listed here for engineers comparing options. Specify Motion is not affiliated with ODrive Robotics; brand names are used only to identify the product.
What is the voltage of the ODrive v3.6?
The published series maximum voltage is 56 V. Individual models and sizes in the ODrive v3.6 range vary, so check the exact variant against your duty cycle, mounting and environment, or ask our engineers to confirm the right size for you.
Is the ODrive v3.6 still available?
ODrive Robotics lists the ODrive v3.6 as legacy. The manufacturer's recommended replacement is ODrive S1. We can help with spares for installed machines, a migration, or an equivalent from our supply network that meets the same published figures.
What is the benefit of a PCB-mount servo drive?
A PCB-mount drive puts motor control inside the product, saving space, weight and cabling. It integrates with the host electronics and can be very power-dense. The host board designer takes on thermal, EMC and protection design, so evaluation boards are often used first.
How is heat removed from a PCB-mount drive?
Heat is usually conducted through the drive's base or pins into the host board and a heatsink or chassis. Copper area, thermal interface materials and airflow all matter. Continuous current ratings often assume specific heatsinking, so check the conditions in the datasheet.
Further reading: How to select a pcb mount servo drive · How to select a servo drive · Servo drives
Other pcb-mount drive series
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