Joystick - Industrial Applications

Industrial Applications

In recent times, the employment of joysticks has become commonplace in many industrial and manufacturing applications, such as; cranes, assembly lines, forestry equipment, mining trucks, and excavators. In fact, the use of such joysticks is in such high demand, that it has virtually replaced the traditional mechanical control lever in nearly all modern hydraulic control systems. Additionally, most Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and submersible Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) require at least one joystick to control either the vehicle, the on-board cameras, sensors and manipulators.

Due to the highly hands-on, rough nature of such applications, the industrial joystick tends to be more robust than the typical video-game controller, and able to function over a high cycle life. This led to the development and employment of Hall Effect sensing to such applications in the 1980s as a means of contactless sensing. Several companies produce joysticks for industrial applications using hall effect technology. Another technology used in joystick design is the use of strain gauges to build force transducers from which the output is proportional to the force applied rather than physical deflection. Miniature force transducers are used as additional controls on joysticks for menu selection functions.

Global manufacturers that serve the largest OEM's, like Caterpillar, John Deere, AGCO, CNH, JLG, GENIE and others, are DeltaTech Controls and Penny and Giles Controls. Penny and Giles Controls also designs and manufactures joysticks for Sauer Danfoss. Apem Apem is another such manufacturer for the global market incorporating such brands as CH Products, Oliver Control Systems and Apem own .

In North America, there are several small regional manufacturers that also service the industry; CTI Electronics, OEM Controls, Otto Engineering, PQ Controls, CH Products, BG Systems, and Elobau Sensor Technologies .

In Europe, there are several manufacturers that supply specialized market sectors, such as crane controls and in aviation. One of the European global joystick suppliers is the Swiss company Genge & Thoma AG, supplying standard and tailor made industrial grade joysticks. In the UK, Printed Motor Works have recently taken over the production of the Flightlink Controls/PML Flightlink ranges of industrial joysticks.

Some larger manufacturers of joysticks are able to customize joystick handles and grips specific to the OEM needs while small regional manufacturers often concentrate on selling standard products at higher prices to smaller OEM's.