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As the need for joysticks increases designers are undergoing greater pressure to meet use requirements while also lowering cost. These requirements include but are not limited to sensitivity, accuracy, low power, smoother operation, custom size, and multi-function features. It is particularly important in industrial environments where proper control of heavy equipment is critical to prevent work related injuries or loss of productivity. P3 America has custom developed several types of indus …

While often seen in the cockpit of military or commercial aircraft, a video game controller, or electric wheelchair, joysticks are a tool used to control machines and heavy equipment such as cranes, trucks, and manufacturing operations. But the joysticks used in those video game controllers are very different from those used to operate massive mining excavators and dump trucks. Here, we’ll explore joystick controllers in use for heavy duty applications across industrial and commercial sec …

Industrial controllers and joysticks are tools widely used in applications across the world in varied environments. With today’s ever-expanding need for higher degrees of functionality and multi-tasking, it is important that operators have the equipment necessary to drive their application needs. Rugged and harsh working conditions can play a large factor in determining hardiness as well as the versatility of such controllers. Choosing a multi-function  industrial contro …

A potentiometer is a measuring instrument commonly used to measure and control linear motion in industrial-grade machines. They can also be used to control smaller electrical devices. Potentiometers translate a linear, or rotary, displacement into a change in resistance. These are the methods for testing the linearity of a potentiometer.About Linear Potentiometers Potentiometers with a linear output have a linear relationship between mechanical travel and output voltage. Linear …

It’s hard to imagine a world without joysticks or rocker switches. Used to control various machines such as aircraft, cranes, trucks, wheelchairs, these control components are vital for their successful operation. Invented in 1926, by C.B. Mirick at the United States Naval Research Lab, they have even been regularly used as part of the NASA Apollo missions to control the lunar lander test models. How Does a Rocker Switch Work? A joystick is a control column that directs moveme …