Custom Built Controllers

 

Industrial Joysticks :: Military Joysticks :: Trackballs :: Control Grip Manufacturer

If your application cannot be met with one of our modular products you can use our design and build service to obtain a truly tailor made solution.

Usually such services are prohibitively expensive, particularly if you only need a small quantity of products, but this is not so with Daco. In most cases a product from our modular range can be used as a starting point with extra changes then being made to create a custom-built hand controller. As this new product still uses a high proportion of stock components both design times and engineering charges are kept to a minimum.

Of course, not all custom-built hand controllers will be able to take advantage of modular range components. Inevitably such products require more engineering input, and delivery times tend to be longer, but they are still reasonable and overall costs remain surprisingly competitive. This is because Daco has been making specialist hand controllers for over 30 years, ensuring that solutions to most problems already exist inside the company.

All Daco products are manufactured under an ISO 9001 approved quality system and are covered by a minimum 2 year warranty.

Examples of custom built hand controllers.
The examples do not form an exhaustive catalogue but do demonstrate our capabilities and possibly suggest a solution for your application.

Please download a copy of our Custom Built Controllers Brochure.

Gamepad-style grips (DG200)

gamepadFirst delivered in 2003, gamepad-style grips, available from 6 weeks after definition / order. Readily available options include a range of force sensor miniature displacement joysticks (various knob styles and 3 operating forces now available off -the-design-shelf), sealed deadmans handles and guarded triggers, and in-grip serial interfaces.

Yoke / gunners' control handles (DP400 )

DP400yokecontrollersFirst delivered in 2004, yoke or gunner-style control handles, with potentiometric or Hall effect sensing, various angles of displacement and completely customisable plastic grips, available from 8 weeks after definition / order.

Trigger guards and Deadmans handles

Compact Hand-Operated Displacement Joysticks

compactjoystick100Developed for those applications where space is at a particular premium or a more compact arrangement is otherwise preferred, this joystick takes up less room above and below panel. Two examples are shown, reflecting the fact that our wide choice of switch, miniature joystick, guard, lever and other options is as available with this design as with our 'standard' MP1/MG1 range.

Deadmans03

Some examples of trigger guards and deadmans handle’s on joysticks and control grips.

Finger-operated displacement joysticks

Rugged joysticks with a footprint of less than 70mm / 3" above panel and 50mm / 2" below panel with customer-specific shielding, interface, switch and enclosure arrangements. 3-axis IP67 variant added in 2006 as part of the launch of the DP200 product line.

Naval throttle control grips

Military grade throttle control grips with customer-specific interfaces, detents and functionality

 

Naval command and control system

Military grade trackerball and fixed grip with integral miniature force joystick, mounted in an enclosure containing customer specific electrical interface.

Military simulator

Fighter/bomber throttle box including wing sweep setting.

Electronic warfare system

2 inch diameter military grade trackerball with press-to-switch action mounted in customer specific housing with integral RS232 interface.

Helicopter mounted target acquisition system.

2 inch diameter military grade trackerball with press-to-release action, mounted in panel with 3 nominated switches. Housing contains Mouse Systems Mouse compatible electrical interface.

Air traffic control

Military grade trackerball modified to provide enhanced electrical conductivity and reduced toxicity products of combustion.

Commercial and military applications.

Miniature force joysticks -Reduced diameter with press-to-switch function; -Reduced length with press-to-switch function; -Large deflection; -Bushing body with internal bellows; -Top mounting flange and environmental seal.

Land based missile control system

Fully sealed control grips with integral miniature force joystick. Smooth external finish designed to prevent retention of nerve agents.

Fire control

Multi-function control grip with 'protected button' side pod, mounted on force sensitive joystick base.

Target acquisition system

Control grip with integral push button, miniature force joystick, 3 position toggle switch, trigger and 'deadmans' handle.

Naval command and control system

3 inch diameter military grade trackerball mounted in panel with 3 selection switches. The electrically screened housing contains a PS2 interface.

Land based fire control

2 axis displacement joystick fitted with multi-function grip containing two push buttons, 4 way trim switch, trigger and additional 'miniature' switch. Lower enclosure is demountable with integral reinforced mounting plate, transit lock and customer specific electrical interface.

Helicopter winchman's hover controller.

Flight approved, night vision goggle compatible hand controller for use in harsh environments. Single level of redundancy.

Commercial simulator.

2 inch diameter commercial grade trackerball mounted in plate with vandal proof switches.

Film and video colour correction system

2 inch diameter commercial grade trackerball with third axis control ring and clear ball. 

Commercial and military applications.

IP65 sealing 'surface mounting' miniature force joystick for zero below panel space requirement.

 

Fire control

Flange mounted multi-function control grip with integral miniature force joystick and nulling circuit.

Fire appliance ladder control

2 axis switching displacement joystick and simple handle with integral top mounted toggle switch.

Armoured fighting vehicle fire control

Matched pair of control grips. Left grip - 3 position toggle switch, 2 push buttons, 1 side mounted push button, single action, double pole trigger, with trigger guard. Right grip - 3 position toggle switch, miniature force joystick, push button, side mounted push button and single action trigger.

Daco Scientific Limited, Vulcan House, Calleva Industrial Park,Aldermaston, Berkshire, RG7 8PB, UK.
  tel: +44 (0) 118 981 7311 :: fax: +44 (0) 118 981 9963 :: email: sales@daco.co.uk

Industrial Joysticks :: Military Joysticks :: Trackballs :: Control Grip Manufacturer