Displaying items by tag: Joystick Controllers

Curtiss-Wright Extends Paddle Joystick Family with Launch of JC1210

24 Oct 2017

New Penny & Giles JC1210 from Curtiss-Wright Industrial extends the range and offers latching and overpress functions

Curtiss-Wright Industrial division has announced the launch of the JC1210, a single-axis paddle joystick that extends the company’s recently-introduced JC1200 family by incorporating latching and overpress functionalities and offering multiple mounting solutions in a single body. This makes the new joystick controller ideal for use in control panels and armrest assemblies found in material handling vehicles, industrial trucks, agricultural equipment and construction machinery, where cost-effective, long-life operator controls are essential.

Developed by Curtiss-Wright’s brand family of Penny & Giles, the JC1210 paddle joystick features an additional 10 degrees of travel at both ends of the axis, which can be specified by machine designers and end users for either latching or overpress functions – or a combination of both – to meet system requirements to hold functions at full speed/float.

By using a long-life bearing system and non-contacting Hall-effect sensing technology, the JC1210 has already been rated to 5 million cycles (to start of overpress/latching) while providing functionality that is smooth and easy to operate. A soft-touch colored insert area of the paddle – which has a choice of nine colors – increases operator comfort and decreases the likelihood of finger-slip during operation.

Key features of the JC1210 include:

• An under-panel depth of 9mm, requiring minimal installation space
• A spring-loaded return-to-center paddle movement
• Colored ergonomic soft-touch grip
• IP67 protection of internal electronics and joystick-to-panel
• Two mounting-panel fixing variations (center line or corners) in one body

Like the JC1200, the JC1210 paddle joystick launches with a 5Vdc supply voltage and the option for factory-programmable electronics configured to one of two analog voltage output ranges (0.5-4.5V or 1.0-4.0V). The three electrical termination options include an integrated Molex connector, a flying lead with Molex connector or header pins.

The option of paddle overpress and/or latch, electrical terminations, output sense, output voltages and paddle soft-touch colors means the JC1210 paddle joystick will be launched with over 600 variations.

Curtiss-Wright Industrial announces attendance at Agritechnica 2017

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

12 Oct 2017

Products from Curtiss-Wright's Industrial division will be on Stand B07, Hall 17.

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division has today announced that it will be using its stand (Stand B07, Hall 17) at Agritechnica 2017 to promote products from its family brands of Arens Controls, Penny & Giles, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls.

Curtiss-Wright has relationships with many industry-leading OEMs and is highly-experienced in working with agricultural machinery designers to provide safety-critical components and sub-systems that can withstand environmental challenges (e.g. water, dust, shock, vibration and temperature extremes) and are ergonomically-optimized for efficient operator control that reduces fatigue and increases productivity.

For example, new vehicle cab designs have been adopting electronic Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) that replace multiple hydraulic levers and discrete components, with fully-integrated armrest assemblies providing the vehicle operators/drivers with numerous new and existing capabilities.

And for many agricultural applications, Curtiss-Wright is developing vehicle controls designed to incorporate multiple functions that can be operated with the use of just one hand, finger or thumb. These controls typically incorporate push-button switches, rotary thumbwheels and joystick paddles and levers, which variously offer switched and proportional control of the vehicle’s numerous features.

• Arens Controls: Rapidly emerging as a global leader in the design and manufacture of precision operator interface control systems and power management systems for commercial on- and off-highway vehicles. The all-new WTI-Traction Inverter series offers state-of-the-art technology and innovative design for use in hybrid and pure-electric on- and off-highway applications. Other products include electronic and cable-operated shifters for controlling automatic and hydrostatic transmissions; and dual-axis, friction and single-action lever controls that are fully customizable with options including shaft orientation, sensor positions and knob color.

• Penny & Giles: Joystick controls – including its latest JC1210, JC040 and JC050 models – are available in single- and multi-axis configurations and can be specified with multiple handle options to provide proportional control within the HMI for numerous applications. The company’s linear, rotary, tilt and pressure sensors are also suitable for numerous agricultural vehicle applications.

• PG Drives Technology: Small electric vehicles benefit from the use of compact AC and DC motor controllers and systems. The i-Drive is a permanent magnet DC motor controller which is highly cost effective, but provides advanced traction control features for walk-behind machines and small material handling vehicles in the agricultural industry.

• Williams Controls: Products include robust suspended and floor-mounted electronic throttle controls, lever-operated and rotary electronic hand controls and cost-effective non-contact rotary position sensors for high volume applications. The heavy-duty WM-540HD suspended pedal is an example of an extremely durable pedal that provides outstanding performance for agricultural-based applications.

From the latest on- and off-highway commercial vehicles, to the rapidly developing hybrid and fully electric vehicle market, Curtiss-Wright engineers are focused on developing bespoke, innovative solutions and next generation technology. This intelligent engineering, from initial concept to finished product, demonstrates the Industrial division’s commitment to providing the advanced control and power management systems demanded by today's agricultural vehicle manufacturers.

With design and manufacturing capabilities in the USA, United Kingdom, China and India, Curtiss-Wright Industrial is well-placed as a global provider. Its many facilities makes it possible to manufacture products more efficiently and assemble completed units for whenever and wherever they are needed throughout the world. And its manufacturing capability is backed by sales and technical support teams in over 45 other countries, ensuring exceptional levels of efficiency, quality and on-time delivery.

Curtiss-Wright Industrial to launch new Bluetooth and IR joystick module at REHACARE

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

08 Sep 2016

Curtiss-Wright's Industrial division will be showcasing products, including its new CJSM2-BT module, at REHACARE 2016

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division today announced that it will be attending the REHACARE^® International Trade Fair & Conference in Düsseldorf, Germany, and showcasing a range of medical mobility products, including the recently-launched CJSM2-BT joystick module from its PG Drives Technology family brand.

As one of four established specialist business units of Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division, PG Drives Technology has been designing, manufacturing and marketing sophisticated mobility control systems for over 40 years and is now one of the world's foremost suppliers of these products.

New at this show will be the company’s recently-launched R-net CJSM2-BT, a Bluetooth- and infra-red-enabled version of its popular CJSM2 Joystick Module. Integrated Bluetooth technology enables wheelchair users to control personal computers, Android tablets, iPhones, iPads and other smart devices from the joystick module. The infra-red communication is widely used to remotely control household appliances such as TVs, DVD players and multi-media systems, as well as some home-automation equipment.

Also on display is the R-net LM, a Lighting Module that provides a compact and cost-effective solution providing 12V or 24V control of lamps. Lighting and turn-signal indicators are mandatory for most European markets and their safety requirements, which are based on the automotive industry, are tough to meet. Nevertheless, the LM complies with all relevant standards and includes features such as constant-brightness control of 12V lamps and turn-signal fault detection. The module is an ideal complement to the ISM-8 or Complex Seating Module (CxSM), when lighting control is needed in conjunction with high-specification seating.

To complete its impressive suite of mobility products, the company will also be showcasing its other LED and LCD Joystick modules for the R-net system, add-on modules for R-net, and the VR2 range of control systems, which set new standards of performance and value for mainstream wheelchair controllers.

Curtiss-Wright to showcase On-Highway Vehicle Solutions in Europe

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

24 Aug 2016

Curtiss-Wright's Industrial division will be showcasing products at the Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division today announced that it will be attending the 66^th IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition in Hannover, Germany, and showcasing solutions for the control and monitoring of vehicles, including applications throughout the on-highway commercial vehicle sector.

The Industrial division includes a number of established specialist business units with expertise in the design, testing and manufacture of a range of components and sub-system solutions for the safe and reliable operation and control of mobile and static machinery, including on- and off-highway vehicles, heavy trucks, buses, military vehicles and motorsport.

Arens Controls
Arens Controls designs and manufactures a range of operator interface control systems and power management products – including manual transmission shift controls, by-wire shift controls and shift-by-wire systems, power inverters and power distribution modules. Many of these systems can be found in applications for the specialist hybrid vehicle market and on today’s most advanced commercial vehicles including medium and heavy-duty trucks, school and transit buses, recreational vehicles and agricultural and off-highway equipment.

Penny & Giles
The extensive Penny & Giles range of rotary, tilt and linear position sensors offers angle measurements from 10° to 360°and length measurements from 5mm to 2000mm; they have been developed to meet the operating requirements of many position-sensing applications in the automotive and industrial sectors. Using Hall-effect, inductive or potentiometric technologies, sensors are packaged in compact or rugged housings with IP68 and IP69K environmental protections and mountings that give users a wide range of flexible installation options. The company also offers a range of solenoids and solenoid valves that include standard and configurable designs and styles that can be modified to suit specific applications or custom-designed for large scale OEM applications.

Williams Controls
Williams Controls is a global market leader in electronic throttle control systems for commercial, off-road, heavy-duty or recreational vehicle applications. The business also designs throttle systems to meet the most demanding specifications and its ergonomic designs include floor and firewall mounting configurations, optional kick down and customizable treadle covers. In addition, the company manufactures a standard range of electronic throttle controls that can minimize tooling costs for many applications. Williams Controls can also take basic ergonomic, dimensional, electrical and aesthetic requirements from OEMs; and provide a complete custom design service. The design, development and product qualification are all part of the customization process.

Curtiss-Wright to showcase On-Highway Vehicle Solutions at the Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo 2016

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

24 Aug 2016

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division today announced that it will be attending the Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo and promoting products from its legacy brands of Arens Controls and Williams Controls.

The Industrial division has extensive experience in designing and manufacturing solutions for the monitoring and control of vehicles, including applications throughout the on-highway commercial vehicle sector.

Arens Controls: Operator interface control systems and power management products – including manual transmission shift controls; by-wire shift controls and shift-by-wire systems; hybrid vehicle traction inverters; power distribution modules; and DC/DC and DC/AC converters for export power and jobsite tool needs. Many of these systems can be found in applications in the hybrid vehicle market and on today’s most advanced commercial vehicles including medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school and transit buses, recreational vehicles, and agricultural and off-highway equipment.
Williams Controls: Products from this market-leading brand in North America include a range of floor-mounted and suspended electronic throttle controls such as the WM-558 and WM-554 models; with complementary systems that include rotary electronic hand controls and a range of standard and customizable heavy-duty industrial joystick controllers, including the multi-axis WM580 CANbus model.

Curtiss-Wright Launches New JC4000 Joystick Controller

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

16 Aug 2016

The Penny & Giles JC4000 Joystick Controller from Curtiss-Wright Industrial

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division today announced the launch of the JC4000, a joystick designed specifically for use in the diverse environments of the Aerial Work Platform (AWP) market.

The robust joystick base and accompanying range of grips – from the Industrial division’s Penny & Giles brand family – provide options for single- or dual-axis operation making the product suitable for both scissor lifts and boom applications. Three dual-axis gates are available – round, square or plus – while the ergonomically-designed grip offers the choice of one or two top switches, as well as a person-present lever, meaning the unit can be used across a wide variety of machines. These carefully-chosen configuration options are designed to offer an optimal combination of performance and cost.

The JC4000 employs a long-life bearing system and non-contacting, Hall-effect sensing technology to achieve an impressive lifespan of over 6 million operating cycles. It is powered from a 5Vdc supply voltage and offers analog output options of 0.5-4.5V or 1.0-4.0V.

Other key features of the JC4000 include:

Load performance of 50Nm horizontal, 1100N vertical and 6Nm rotational
Dual outputs on each axis
Center-reference signal
Under- or above-panel mounting
Enclosure sealing to IP67
EMC performance to 100V/m
MTTFd > 100 years

Commenting, Senior Vice President & General Manager of the Industrial division Kevin Rayment said: “The way we approached the development of the JC4000 was different from previous products. We focussed the specification on a particular industry and its applications, thereby ensuring we achieved an attractive combination of performance and price. Success relied on applying our long industrial heritage and setting ourselves tough targets, in order to offer our customers an industry-leading solution.”

Curtiss-Wright Industrial announces attendance at Agritechnica

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

16 Sep 2015

Curtiss-Wright Industrial division products

Agritechnica, Hannover Messe, November 2015 Stand A10, Hall 15

Curtiss-Wright Corporation today announced that its Industrial division will be using its stand at Agritechnica to promote products from its legacy brands of Arens Controls, Penny & Giles, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls. With the industry moving away from discrete hydraulic controls, fully electronic operator controls such as those from Curtiss-Wright Industrial division – a recognized leader in providing components and sub-systems for a wide range of agricultural applications – offer huge improvements in reliability and operational comfort that can improve vehicle productivity and reduce operator fatigue.

Arens Controls: Operator interface control and power management systems for agricultural vehicle control applications include the single- and dual-lever T Series cable-operated shifters for automatic and hydrostatic transmissions; and fully-customizable C Series range of lever controls with options to remotely actuate hydraulic valves via push-pull cable or rod linkage.

Penny & Giles: To provide proportional control within the HMI for numerous applications, JC Series joystick controllers are available in single- and multi-axis configurations and with multiple handle options. A range of linear, rotary and tilt sensors are also suitable for numerous agricultural applications.

PG Drives Technology: Small electric vehicles benefit from the use of compact AC and DC motor controllers and systems. The i-Drive is a permanent magnet DC motor controller which is highly cost effective, but provides advanced traction control features for walk-behind machines and small material handling vehicles in the agricultural industry.

Williams Controls:Systems include lever-operated and rotary electronic hand controls, standard and customizable heavy-duty joystick controllers and contact and non-contact rotary sensors. Floor-mounted pedals such as the WM-537 are extremely durable and provide outstanding performance.

About Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company employs approximately 9,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.

Penny + Giles IVT Lift Truck

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

02 Apr 2012

With a legacy spanning more than 50 years, Penny + Giles is a recognised leader in the design and manufacture of joysticks, sensors and industrial solenoids. It has extensive experience in providing solutions for monitoring and control under extreme operating conditions and its range of joystick controllers and position sensors are used throughout the off-highway industry, from agricultural vehicles and backhoe excavators, to lift trucks and powered access platforms.

Joystick Controllers

Penny + Giles’ range of finger- and hand-operated joystick controllers are designed and developed for smooth, precise control of critical functions where a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is required. Available in single-, dual- or multiple-axis configurations and with ergonomic handle styles to enable superb proportional control, each model has a range of selectable options for the most comprehensive joystick-to-application matching.

An option that is proving increasingly popular with many OEM’s, and one that Penny & Giles believes has become the benchmark for joystick controller sensing technology, is the use of contactless, Hall effect sensors to monitor the joystick lever position in multiple axes. These sensors not only provide reliable and accurate output signals and benefit from a second output to enable error checking of system integrity but also, for example, triple the operational life of the company’s JC6000 from an already impressive five million operations, to more than 15 million!

A relative newcomer to the JC6000 range is a heavy-duty, single-axis version. The new higher-strength, return-to-centre joystick is ideal for use in arduous conditions or applications including heavy agricultural machinery where high ‘Across-Axis’ loads can be an issue.

The increased strength of the heavy-duty JC6000 is 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 long-life 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 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 rugged, low-profile design of the JC1500 (53mm under-panel depth) complements 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 is also developing a new heavy-duty joystick controller – the JC8000 – with all-round, high-strength features that will make it ideal for applications such as skid-steer loaders, where operators typically use hydraulic joysticks. This new model will be more compact than equivalent strength electronic joysticks and will include Hall-effect sensing technology, with under-panel electronics fully protected to IP69K.

Contactless Rotary Position Sensors

The company’s extensive range of rotary position sensors offer angle measurements from 10° to 360° and use Hall effect, inductive or potentiometric technologies, all packaged in compact or rugged housings, with environmental protections to IP68 and IP69K. Its dual-output, contactless range has been specially developed to meet the operating requirements of many industrial position sensing applications in the general engineering, automation and process control sectors.

Designed with 21st century applications in mind, Penny + Giles contactless rotary position sensors use the latest advances in 12bit Hall effect sensing technology and are factory-programmed to provide OEM’s with a variety of previously unavailable options. These include single- or dual-redundant outputs, clockwise or anticlockwise rotation and measurement angles from 0-20° to 0-360° in 1° increments.

Most models can withstand operating temperatures between -40°C and +140°C (+170°C for 72 hours for NRH/TPS models); are tested to resist severe shock and vibration; and have an EMC immunity of 100V/m.

The sensors are designed to operate from a 5Vdc regulated or 9 - 30Vdc supply; and outputs can be PWM or analog voltage (nominal 0.5 - 4.5Vdc) over the measurement range, with clockwise or anticlockwise shaft rotation. A choice of 341 different electrical angles from 20° to 360° are possible and 12bit resolution (0.025%) is available over the selected measuring range with a non-linearity better than ±0.4% and temperature stability better than ±50ppm/°C. The sensor’s analog output option has a very low output noise level of less than 1mV rms.

Contactless Linear Position Sensors

Penny + Giles’ comprehensive range of linear position sensors also use Hall effect, inductive or potentiometric technologies and cover measurement ranges from 10 to 5000mm. A choice of models and mounting configurations, including embedded in-cylinder linear transducers, suit a wide range of hostile industrial applications.

The company’s SLT190 is designed to provide reliable, fit-and-forget position sensing (up to 500mm) within a compact transducer size for the most arduous operating environments. It can withstand operating temperatures from -40 to +150°C, has been tested to withstand shocks to 10,000g and, with EMC Immunity of 100V/m, the SLT190 is suitable for the harshest of applications.

To minimise size and the impact on the overall system, separate signal conditioning electronics (EICT or EICTM) are housed in rugged IP66 or IP68 rated enclosures. The electronics module can be located up to 10m from the transducer, away from any hostile conditions (vibration, mechanical impact, temperature) that the position transducer may encounter during operation. The result is a more reliable transducer solution, easily installed and adjusted and more flexible in the choice of outputs - including voltage, current and digital PWM.

The Penny + Giles SLH100 has been specifically designed to provide precision, cost-effective position sensing using the contactless Hall effect principle, with the sensing system comprises only two parts: the sensor and the magnetic activator. As a fully encapsulated electronic device it is intended to compete with sealed potentiometers and inductive sensors.

This robust, maintenance-free and easy-to-fit sensor can be used for a variety of control applications and its durable design and absence of mechanical linkages makes this sensor attractive for use in harsh environments - where particles, moisture, temperature and vibration can be present.

Contactless Tilt Sensors

The company’s STT tilt sensor range uses solid-state 3D-MEMS technology to measure the sensor's inclination relative to earth's gravity. By using solid-state system-on-chip technology, the STT series provides distinct advantages in reliability, stability and compactness over fluid-based, electrolytic and pendulum operated sensors. For maximum flexibility this new range has a low power requirement of less than 6.5mA, so it can be used in hard-wired or battery-powered wireless systems.

The IP68-rated STT280 is supplied in a compact 28mm diameter corrosion-resistant body with crush proof inserts in the mounting flange. The larger STT500 is supplied in a rugged, marine grade cast aluminium housing with a protection rating of IP69K.

Both sensors can withstand operating temperatures from -40°C to +125°C and have been tested to withstand a 3m drop onto concrete (maximum 20,000g). They are available with a choice of measurement ranges from ±10°, ±20°, ±30° and ±60° and can operate from a 5Vdc regulated or 8 – 30Vdc unregulated power supply.

Sensor in Action

For a recent application, Penny + Giles is supplying its STT280 tilt sensors to Stellar Industries for a boom angle positioning application on its range of truck-mounted telescopic winch-line cranes.

The STT280 tilt sensors are being used on Stellar’s range of service/mechanic truck packages, which feature telescopic winch-line cranes mounted on service truck bodies. These vehicles are typically used by utility and municipal companies and related service industries requiring heavy lifting over long ranges. The truck-mounted cranes offer lifting capabilities from 29,500 foot pounds capacity (capable of lifting 5,000 pounds at approximately six feet) to 82,600 foot pounds, which are capable of lifting 14,000 pounds at five feet. All models feature a boom elevation from -5 to +80 degrees.

Stellar’s 5521 telescopic crane is the first model in the range to feature the Penny + Giles tilt sensors and the first to use Stellar’s CDT™ (Crane Dynamics Technology™) control system. It offers a maximum 5,000 pound capacity at 5’ 9” in boost mode, has a 21-foot reach and offers two options: a ‘one hydraulic/one manual’ extension version and the company’s all-new ‘two hydraulic’ extension version.

Commenting on the choice of Penny + Giles tilt sensors, Stellar’s sales and marketing manager Sean Moran says: “The main reason for specifying the STT280 is the compact design, which allows us to mount them in discreet locations on the cranes. A close look at the company itself also showed that Penny + Giles products are used extensively in defence and military applications, confirming that their products are robust and manufactured to an extremely high quality. This makes them ideal for the arduous operating environments demanded of our telescopic crane systems.”

The STT280 tilt sensors are integral to Stellar’s CDT smart control system. They are used to measure the angle of the telescopic boom, enabling the CDT to calculate the load on the crane and transmit the data from the sensor to a handheld controller. This controller features a graphical user interface that uses multiple sensory indicators (coloured LED lights and pulsating vibrations) to alert operators of increasing loads before an overload situation occurs. The use of cyclical vibrations in the controller ensures that the operator is always aware of approaching maximum capacity, while still being able to monitor the load itself. Before the tilt sensors were installed the only safety system in place was a pressure sensor on the hydraulic system that would shut the crane down as it reached a defined load.

Summarising, Sean Moran says this is the first time this type of telescopic system has used tilt sensor technology to relay crane condition and operation to the operator, which puts Stellar and Penny + Giles at the forefront of service crane technology in the US market.

New levels of sophistication

The latest developments in sensing and control system technology are bringing a whole new level of sophistication to vehicle controls, resulting in much more efficient operation. Highly reliable signals from the latest joystick and sensor developments, combined with intuitive control system software, mean that off-highway vehicles and their equipment can be tuned to optimise performance to individual applications. At the touch of a few buttons, routine operations can be performed at high speed with minimal fatigue, delivering considerably better productivity from both vehicle and operator.

Involving component suppliers such as Penny + Giles at the earliest possible stage of vehicle development often produces the most cost-effective solution in the shortest possible development time. This is achieved by combining Penny + Giles’ vast experience of the type and layout of equipment controls with the more subjective input of OEM engineering and marketing departments.

Optimising Vehicle & Equipment Control

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

29 Aug 2012

Recent developments in joystick controller technology is offering designers of off-highway and specialist vehicles more flexibility in the functionality of their control systems than they have ever had before.

JOYSTICK & OPERATOR EFFICIENCY

Electronic joystick controllers offer huge improvements over manual hydraulically controlled versions. They are easier and more comfortable to operate and, because high-pressure hydraulics are no longer in the cab, are quieter and cleaner. This helps to provide a more comfortable environment for the operator and helps to reduce the likelihood of mistakes. As a result, joystick control can help to improve the productivity of cranes and specialist vehicles and their operators too.

The latest control systems do more than just carry out an operator’s instructions - they actually improve on them by using the command signals from joysticks and feedback from the vehicle sensing systems to optimise any actions.

For example, however intelligent the electronics, it is only natural for an operator, keen to get the job done and possibly more used to a heavier control action, to move a joystick controller quickly and with force. Instinct tells operators to push joysticks to their limit with every movement, in order to complete the action more quickly and so work more ‘efficiently’. In reality, this ‘slamming’ of the joystick is not the most efficient method – it just increases stress and wear and does not make the machinery move any quicker.

The comfort of the operator is also an extremely important factor in the design of control systems. The compact design and flexibility of electronic joysticks means that chair armrests can be adjusted to suit individual users, unlike mechanically operated hydraulic systems that need to be rigid-mounted to prevent hose flex and to carry the weight of the installation. The use of electronic systems is also enabling system designers to use smaller joysticks, which can be designed to mimic the functionality of the older hydraulic systems but with higher operating comfort levels.

Other functionality that can be integrated with electronic joysticks include smart vehicle systems that have the capability to ‘learn’ a set of actions that can then be repeated automatically; return-to-dig or return-to-load functions that automatically return a vehicles boom arm back to a known point at the touch of a button; and joystick ‘friction hold’ lever functions that can be used to maintain a constant speed, such as required on compactors and spreaders in the road construction industry.

All these functions allow operators to focus on the task at hand without being distracted by the additional machine controls, again saving time and effort and improving safety.

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

Penny + Giles joystick controllers are used for numerous specialised transport applications. From lift trucks, tower cranes and powered access platforms, to backhoe excavators and airport fire & rescue vehicles, the company has extensive experience in providing solutions for monitoring and control under extreme operating conditions.

The company’s range of finger- and hand-operated joystick controllers are designed and developed for smooth, precise control of critical functions where a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is required. Available in single-, dual- or multiple-axis configurations and with ergonomic handle styles to enable superb proportional control, each model has a range of selectable options for the most comprehensive joystick-to-application matching.

An option that is proving popular with many OEM’s, and one that Penny & Giles believes is the future of joystick controller technology, is the use of contactless, Hall effect sensors. These sensors not only provide reliable and accurate output signals and benefit from a second output to enable error checking of system integrity but also, for example, triple the operational life of the company’s JC6000 from an already impressive five million operations, to more than 15 million!

A relative newcomer to the JC6000 range is a heavy-duty, single-axis version. The new higher-strength, return-to-centre joystick is ideal for use in arduous conditions or applications including ‘heavy’ machinery where high ‘Across-Axis’ loads can be an issue.

Penny + Giles is also introducing the JC8000, a new heavy-duty joystick controller with all-round, high-strength features that will make it ideal for applications where operators typically use hydraulic joysticks.

More compact than equivalent strength joysticks, the JC8000 will feature under panel electronics sealed to lP69K and a choice of analogue or digital outputs including dual redundant Hall effect, CANbus J1939 and digital PWM.

CONCLUSION

Developments in control system technology are bringing a new level of sophistication to vehicle control, which is resulting in more efficient operation. High reliability signals from the latest sensor and joystick designs, combined with intuitive control system software means that vehicles and their equipment can be tuned to optimise performance to individual applications. At the touch of a few buttons, routine operations can be performed at high speed with minimal fatigue, for considerably better productivity from vehicle and operator.

Penny + Giles specialises in both joysticks and motion control sensors, so is therefore uniquely placed to provide advanced control options for the off-highway and specialised vehicle market.

For further information call Penny + Giles on +44 (0)1202 409499, email sales@pennyandgiles.com or visit www.pennyandgiles.com.

Penny + Giles JC8000’s Sensitivity Helps GRAMMER EiA Electronics win Massey Ferguson Control Contract

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

19 Nov 2013

Penny + Giles JC8000’s Sensitivity Helps GRAMMER EiA Electronics win Massey Ferguson Control Contract

Curtiss-Wright Controls Industrial – a member of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and leaders in control devices and systems for industrial and medical vehicles and equipment – has been supplying its Penny + Giles joystick controllers to GRAMMER EiA Electronics (formerly EiA Electronics) for many years, so when a more ruggedised joystick with improved feedback was required for the latest Massey Ferguson MF7600 series of tractors, GRAMMER EiA Electronics had no hesitation in turning to Penny + Giles for the solution.

Explaining the requirements for the new joystick, GRAMMER EiA Electronics’ programme manager Marko Boving says that Massey Ferguson wanted a joystick controller with differentiated outputs on all the axes and an overpress function that would provide the positive feedback that is so important to Massey Ferguson’s customers.

As a leading system integrator GRAMMER EiA Electronics is working with customers around the world to create ergonomic operator working environments for tractors, excavators, wheeled-loaders and fork-lift trucks. The company’s multimedia operator interfaces, similar to BMW’s i-Drive on road cars, are typically operated from its standard arm-rest range using custom joystick and handle solutions.

And this, as Marko Boving explains, is why GRAMMER EiA Electronics works closely with Penny + Giles.

“Penny + Giles already has an excellent range of joysticks, handles and interfaces so we don’t need to develop our own such products. Consequently, we rely on their expertise from initial development right through to production. For this project we were asked to supply an alternative to a current Massey Ferguson joystick, with a specific requirement that it should provide the same feel and functionality. We passed a very detailed product and systems brief to Penny + Giles and they developed a joystick to our specification.” He says.

An important element of the brief was the need for overpress functionality in every axis with improved feel on the shorter stroke, in order to achieve more direct and positive feedback. Penny + Giles latest ‘ruggedised’ JC8000 joystick controller already had the independent axis functionality built into its design and features a spring on each axis, which helped to achieve the desired forward and right directional operation as well as the operator feel that the customer wanted. The joystick always returns to centre but when it is pushed forward or right it provides a ‘click’ to let the operator know that his instruction has been achieved. The vehicle electronics system from GRAMMER EiA Electronics recognises the overpress decision and translates it into a machine action e.g. return-to-dig or return-to-load.

Within the standard JC8000 design the outputs are configurable to meet the customer’s requirements, making it a very flexible unit that can be programmed beyond the standard ‘square’ outputs. The overpress facility is programmable to allow the JC8000 to deliver more travel in each direction, which in the GRAMMER EiA Electronics version is both right and forward. The joystick provides an analogue output that feeds into a CAN node on the vehicle’s control arm.

The JC8000 is offered exclusively on MF7600 Series vehicles fitted with a front bucket. Standard operation employs switches but most buyers taking the bucket also choose the optional joystick, which is proving so popular with machine operators that it is almost a standard-fit item.

The heavy-duty JC8000 is a relative newcomer to the Penny + Giles joystick controller range, which has been specially engineered with a number of high-strength features. This makes it ideal for applications in physically-demanding working conditions such as skid steer loader controls or where operators traditionally use hydraulic joysticks. The increased strength of the JC8000 has been achieved by increasing the body material around the area supporting the operating lever; increasing the operating lever’s diameter; and changing its pivot geometry. These fundamental changes have enabled the joystick to handle increased torque and improved the lever’s bending and applied loads.

Designed for the most challenging applications, the JC8000 can withstand a 380Nm overload on the X and Y axes and 2000Nm on the vertical. It has also been tested to more than 60 million operations (15 million cycles) under laboratory conditions.

Summing up, Marko Boving says: “Penny + Giles created a very effective solution, developed and delivered a very reliable product, and we were absolutely satisfied with the service they provided throughout.”

Further information is available from the Curtiss-Wright Controls Industrial (www.cwc-ind.com) or Penny + Giles (www.pennyandgiles.com) websites or by calling +44 (0)1425 271444.

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