The manufacturer said it believes is the future of joystick controller technology, is the use of contactless, Hall effect sensors. These sensors provide accurate output signals and benefit from a second output to enable error checking of system integrity. Penny & Giles say that they triple the operational life of the company’s JC6000 from five million operations to more than fifteen million.
The JC6000 range is a heavy-duty, single-axis version. The new higher-strength, return-to-centre joystick can be used in arduous conditions or applications including heavy agricultural machinery where high ‘Across-Axis’ loads can be an issue.
Penny & Giles said that the increased strength of the heavy-duty JC6000 was achieved by redesigning the body casting, which the company claims has increased across-axis fatigue life by a factor of five. The heavy-duty version also uses a new gaiter to accommodate the increased strength of the body casting.
The heavy-duty JC6000 is available with potentiometer track sensors with auxiliary contacting directional switch tracks; single/dual non-contact Hall effect sensors (or a combination of both); Can (J1939) and Can-Extended input interfaces; and is designed to share all standard JC6000 handles and grips.
Another recent introduction is the single-axis JC1500, which the company said has evolved from the JC6000 and is designed for heavy duty applications such as specialist off-highway vehicles and aerial work lifts and platforms, especially where reliability and strength are required.
The manufacturer said the design of its JC1500 (53mm under-panel depth) complemented the existing JC150 range of potentiometer-based joysticks. In addition, for easy and modification free replacement or upgrade, the JC1500 uses the same panel mountings and is designed to share the same range of handles and grips, as JC150 and JC6000 models.
Penny & Giles said that they are also developing the JC1500 to produce a new heavy-duty joystick controller with all-round, high-strength features that will make it ideal for applications such as skid-steer, where operators typically use hydraulic joysticks.
