Mini-format joystick

The new dual-axis mini joystick J1 from elobau measures only 41 x 41 x 41 mm, and can be operated using just the thumb or another finger. This allows it to be placed on, for example, a large, manually controlled joystick or installed in other devices that have limited space.

The J1 is especially suitable for use in vehicle-mounted devices such as crane controllers etc. However, there are also industrial applications for which this small joystick is optimally suited, for example the teach-in programming of articulated arm robots and for special tasks on printing presses and other machines.

Like the larger elobau joysticks, the principle of the J1 is based on non-contact sensor actuation. A magnet rotates around a Hall sensor, which is located in a closed housing together with the connector and litz wire. This allows the high international protection class IP67 to be guaranteed for the electronics. The mechanical components meet the requirements of the international protection class IP56, since the new encapsulated design particularly improves protection against the penetration of solid foreign particles into the moving mechanical components – including in versions without bellows.

The non-contact technology ensures a long service life, which elobau guarantees for at least 2x10⁶ switching operations. The limit position (maximum deflection +/- 15 degrees) is proximity-actuated or latching. Customer-specific angle limits are also possible. A special version with a friction brake and activation via an actuation button in the handle is being planned. The joystick J1 functions in a temperature range of between -25 and +75 degrees.

Illustrations:

Force operated joysticks consist of a force sensitive spring, fixed into a base, surrounded by a "housing". The force applied to the spring in the plane parallel to the base is resolved into X and Y components. These are sensed separately by strain gauges bonded to the spring and connected to form two half Wheatstone bridges. The resulting analogue output has infinite resolution and is proportional to input voltage and applied force.

The lack of moving parts in this technology makes force joysticks inherently extremely reliable. Daco has tested its own products to 10,000,000 cycles, with each cycle being full scale in both +ve and -ve directions. A further benefit of force joysticks is that they require less space for mounting. The base assembly is smaller than an "equivalent" displacement joystick and, if a grip is fitted, no space is needed to accommodate an arc of travel. But perhaps the major benefit of force technology is that it lends itself to miniaturisation.

Daco's MJ3 force operated, miniature joysticks typically have a body length of approximately 25mm (1 inch). This makes them ideal for fitting in control grips, such as Daco's MG1, to be used as "thumb-sticks". They provide full proportional control yet take no more space than a simple switch. The low mass of the "thumbsticks" reduces their sensitivity to vibration and increases the effectiveness of mechanical damping.

Despite their size they are extremely resilient, having an overload capability factor of 10. All units are fitted with an internal protective bellows that can be supplemented with an external elastomer seal. These features, coupled with the use of fully anodised aluminium exposed components, mean that MJ3 joysticks are suitable for the most demanding applications.

In keeping with its ethos of offering you the solution that you need, in addition to its modular device (which requires very little deflection to reach full scale output) Daco also offers a "high deflection" device (about +/-1mm deflection, a very popular choice for users less familiar with force sensitive technology) and currently has under development an "extra high deflection device". Surface mount devices are also available where you have no below panel space.

Daco also offers "full size" force sensitive joysticks, combining its force sensitive technology with its MG1 control grip, a popular choice for users who are accustomed to force sensitive technology, need very precise control (for example for tracking purposes) and do not have the space envelope for a displacement device.

Learn more about Daco's force sensitive joysticks, use the "See Product Details" weblink on the right to find available options and characteristics of these small joysticks

"Force sensitive", or "stiff stick", joysticks use strain gauges to sense the force applied to a metal bar and covert it into a proportional electrical output. Typically a movement of less than 1mm is needed to achieve full scale output.

Force operated joysticks consist of a force sensitive spring, fixed into a base, surrounded by a "housing". The force applied to the spring in the plane parallel to the base is resolved into X and Y components. These are sensed separately by strain gauges bonded to the spring and connected to form two half Wheatstone bridges. The resulting analogue output has infinite resolution and is proportional to input voltage and applied force.

The lack of moving parts in this technology makes force joysticks inherently extremely reliable. Daco has tested its own products to 10,000,000 cycles, with each cycle being full scale in both +ve and -ve directions. A further benefit of force joysticks is that they require less space for mounting. The base assembly is smaller than an "equivalent" displacement joystick and, if a grip is fitted, no space is needed to accommodate an arc of travel. But perhaps the major benefit of force technology is that it lends itself to miniaturisation.

Daco's MJ3 force operated, miniature joysticks typically have a body length of approximately 25mm (1 inch). This makes them ideal for fitting in control grips, such as Daco's MG1, to be used as "thumb-sticks". They provide full proportional control yet take no more space than a simple switch. The low mass of the "thumbsticks" reduces their sensitivity to vibration and increases the effectiveness of mechanical damping.

Despite their size they are extremely resilient, having an overload capability factor of 10. All units are fitted with an internal protective bellows that can be supplemented with an external elastomer seal. These features, coupled with the use of fully anodised aluminium exposed components, mean that MJ3 joysticks are suitable for the most demanding applications

To learn more use the Product Details web link on the right. And to discuss your needs and learn about Daco Scientific's extensive range of control products call or e mail us

Military Joystick & Control Product Lines

Daco Scientific offers new gamepad-style grip, finger-and -thumb displacement joystick and yoke / gunners control handle product lines and you won't have to wait months for them

Following increasing client interest, we are pleased to confirm that we are formally introducing these additional three MIL-STD compliant product lines. In each case, by virtue of a modular design philosophy, strategic stockholding, close relationships with key vendors / partners and (above all) an obsession with compressing time-to -delivery, our lead-times remain best in class and the establishment of these product lines will lead to further reductions.

Gamepad style controllers are most often used for remote control of armoured vehicles or electro-optical systems, finger-and-thumb displacement joysticks are a popular choice for naval command and control consoles and the yoke style, known as gunners' control handles, typically are used in armoured vehicles.

DG200: first delivered in 2003, gamepad-style grips, available from 6 weeks after definition / order. Readily available options include a range of force sensor miniature displacement joysticks (various knob styles and 3 operating forces now available off-the-design-shelf), sealed deadman's handles and guarded triggers, and in-grip serial interfaces.

DP200: first delivered in 2004, 1- and 2-axis finger-and-thumb potentiometric proportional displacement joysticks, available from 4 weeks after definition / order. 3-axis, IP67 variant added earlier this year.

DP400: first delivered in 2004, yoke or gunner-style control handles, with potentiometric or Hall effect sensing, various angles of displacement and completely customisable plastic grips, available from 8 weeks after definition / order.

A brief resume of our existing product lines is also set out below:

• MG1 / DG100 (now DG1000): modular / customised control grips.
• MP1 / DP100 (now DP1000): modular / customised displacement joystick bases.
• DJ100: customised hand-operated force joysticks.
• MJ3 / DJ300 : modular / customised miniature force joysticks.
• MT6 & MT4 / DT600 & DT400: modular / customised trackerballs.

Modular products available from just 5 working days after definition/order Often used as initial evaluation or prototype controllers while detailed definition takes place.

Click on the Product Details web link on the right or e mail to discuss your controller application and needs

High quality joysticks, trackballs or control grips, tailored to your military or industrial application at a realistic price, regardless of the quantity you order, or where in the world you are. From weapon fire control to unmanned aerial vehicles..... Daco Scientific offers standard products to a full design and build service

It is often assumed it is easier to design a hand controller for a simulator than for the "real thing" as the operating environment is less extreme and reliability is less critical. But the levels of use of hand controllers in simulators are typically higher and the extremes of the operational envelope are approached more often. It may be true that reliability is "less critical" but many simulators are multi-million dollar machines that require high utilisation to remain cost effective.

A further consideration is the level of physical compliance to the "real thing". As simulations become more realistic in terms of system response and visual feedback so the emphasis on creating truly representative surroundings increases. For example, when Daco were asked to provide a throttle-box and wing-sweep controller for a fighter/bomber simulator the finished product had to be nearly indistinguishable, both visually and operationally, from the unit found in the actual aircraft.

To learn more about how Daco can create custom controllers to suit your needs use the "See Product Details" weblink on the right or e mail us. We welcome your inquiries

"Displacement" joysticks are by far the most common type and are what most people envisage when they consider joysticks. Force applied to the handle causes it to move over many degrees (usually between 20 and 30). This movement is detected and converted to an electrical signal by a potentiometer or a non-contacting technology device if a proportional output is required. If not, a simple switch arrangement is used. "Force sensitive" or "stiff stick" joysticks use strain gauges, attached to a fixed metal post, to convert applied force into a proportional electrical output. Typically a movement of less than 1mm is needed to achieve full scale output. The MP1 Displacement joystick range has been developed for military or demanding commercial applications that require robustness and high reliability combined with optimum accuracy and 'feel'.

The use of potentiometers to sense displacement, in preference to non-contacting sensors, ensures a low component count and consequently higher MTBF figures. Potentiometers also have lower electrical emissions and are less susceptible to interference from external sources. For ultimate reliability the particular potentiometers used by Daco are IP65 sealed, conductive plastic devices that have none of the problems sometimes encountered with open track and wire-wound potentiometers. The outputs are referenced to centre taps to remove any offsets and give stability ensuring that, at zero deflection, the outputs are not affected by supply voltage. Direct coupling of the potentiometers to the gimbal mechanism totally eliminates backlash.

While most of Daco's joysticks in the past have used potentiometers to sense displacement for the reasons outlined above, Hall effect sensors are also now used where the application so permits and / or where you so prefer

The gimbal mechanism itself is, to the best of our knowledge, the strongest commercially available. Its components are machined from steel or aluminium and are supported by sealed stainless steel ball races mounted in a formed frame. This, in turn, is welded to a panel-mounting flange that is machined from aluminium. The use of stainless steel and anodised aluminium also provides excellent corrosion resistance.

Rising from the gimbal mechanism is a hollow stainless steel central shaft that is used to mount a grip. The bore of the shaft can accommodate up to 24 wires for attachment to switches, triggers or miniature force joysticks. This facility allows a choice of many different handgrip configurations based either on Daco's MG1 modular grip or on a fully customised pattern.

The hollow shaft passes through a sprung plate that acts as a return-to-centre mechanism. The design of the plate is such that the force required to operate the joystick is the same regardless of the direction of movement.

For some applications it may be better to have some "bias" in the individual axes so, on custom-built hand controllers, Daco can fit a profiled plate. Similarly, if a lower return-to-centre force is required, "lighter" springs can be factory fitted.

Full-scale output on standard modular joysticks is provided from the X and Y axes simultaneously by using a square 'gate'. The third, Z-axis, is operated by rotation of the grip. All axes can be operated together and all provide ±20° of movement with a return-to-centre action.

When the MP1 is mounted into a panel a gaiter, manufactured from EPDM rubber, gives sealing to IP66 whilst remaining flexible over a wide temperature range.

As the base for a custom built hand controller the MP1 modular joystick can be modified to have any one, or any combination, of the three axes activated. Other special variants have included put-and-stay; high and low force; detent and position sensing switch mechanisms. Smaller size displacement joysticks are also available and a miniature displacement joystick is currently under development.

As with all Daco products, MP1 series joysticks are covered by a two-year warranty and are manufactured under a BS EN ISO 9001 approved quality system.

To learn more about the Daco joystick that will suit your needs use the "See Product Details" weblink on the right for options and characteristics