Universal industrial joystick controllers are designed such that they can easily be configured for use as industrial motion controllers. Since the application environment is expected to be rugged and mechanically trying, the components of the industrial motion controller are designed to be ineffective to EMI and RFI signals. To achieve this, serious amount of thought goes into the design of the joystick controller.
Points to Consider When Selecting an Industrial Motion Controller
Following are some of the factors to consider when customizing a universal industrial joystick controller:
Preferred Installation Method
- Depending on whether you want the electronic parts to be exposed or not, you can opt for OEM, Panel Mount, or Plug-n-Play
Special Requirements
You will need to specify any special requirements you may have in accordance with the following factors:
- Installation or part removal requirements (Permanent or removable components/ features)
- The surface of the motion controller will be built according to the person or machine using it. You need to specify if it will be controlled remotely, or by a person wearing thick, thin, or no gloves.
- You need to let your manufacturer know whether you need the joystick controller to feature a conformal coating, deadband, Optical Neutral “Safety” Switch, and other features.
Environmental Conditions
- Indoor
- Outdoor
- Special Circumstances
Temperature Range
The controller will be operational at this temperature range
- You can choose a 40 °C temperature range between -40 °C to +80 °C. for example, you can opt for -40 °C to 0 °C, +40 °C to +80 °C, and so on. Specifying your temperature range will ensure that the product functions optimally even under extreme temperatures.
Exposure to Hazardous Substances
Many applications could be operating around hazardous substances. The covering material of the joystick controller will be provided accordingly.
Subject to Vibrations
You need to inform the manufacturer whether the motion controller will be subject to constant vibrations or movement like those seen in military trucks, airplanes, etc.
Number of Axes of Movement
You need to provide your preference of axes. You can choose between one, two, three, six, or a higher number of axes.
It is important to convey the exact usage of the motion controller to the manufacturer. You need to cover where it will be used, for what exact purpose, and any special circumstances that the controller will be dealing with. All of this information will help the manufacturer construct a fail-safe product.