OT - Joysticks

Redoing controls on a sawmill and need 2 joysticks for the operator. Multiaxis with analog outputs and 4 auxiliary push buttons on the top of each.

I've never spec'ed these out before, so looking for recommendations on any products you've used in the past with good success.

Catalogs, websites, and salesmen fail to tell the truth on quality...

Durability and availability of service parts are primary concerns.

We use Danfoss PVRE series for our Deck Cranes.
Our application is pretty simple 2 axis for Slew / Boom and a single axis for Winch.

But Danfoss makes Many different types of sticks.

Here is a link to their page, maybe you can find something that will work for you.

http://www.danfoss.com/Products/Categories/Products.htm?id=2768

Also if you happen to come across a good Vendor to purchase these from let me know.
For some reason our purchasing department thinks they need to buy these from Rolls-Royce. I am sure they are paying way to much and waiting way to long to get them.

BCS

Sbaum it the analog could be an issue. I have seen several that had 2 analog signals. They where both at 12 mA when in the neutral position move it down and the signal dropped to 4 mA up and you got 20mA. Left 4 right 20. Maybe 1 aux pb on the top. I have never seen 4 aux. What are you doing in a mill where you need 4 aux and multi axis?

I've only used these in a single axis application, but they have many output options and have been trouble free for 1-1/2 years now. http://www.pqcontrols.com/index.php

Rich

www.gessmann.com/downloads/downloads.html

Load Controller Catalogue, Page 31.. There are many options: Analog/Digital/FieldBus
I have used it with Profibus-DB.

sbaum said:

Redoing controls on a sawmill and need 2 joysticks for the operator. Multiaxis with analog outputs and 4 auxiliary push buttons on the top of each.

I've never spec'ed these out before, so looking for recommendations on any products you've used in the past with good success.

Catalogs, websites, and salesmen fail to tell the truth on quality...

Durability and availability of service parts are primary concerns.

Click to expand...

When I was in the lumber industry most of the equipment I was exposed to was originally supplied with OEM controls brand http://www.oemcontrols.com/ . Normal length of service under a 3 shift duty cycle was around 2 to 3 years.

We found that Cyber-tech brand controls lasted about twice as long. http://www.cyber-tech.net/

The dual analog joystick base is sold separately from the pushbutton paddle.