A new multifunction handle is designed for right-hand operation

APEM, Inc. announces the launch of its new RT handle, an ergonomic grip offering a wide combination of pushbutton and Hall effect thumbwheel combinations.  Designed exclusively for APEM’s XD series joystick, the RT grip provides IP67 above panel sealing and is ideally suited for vehicle applications requiring a dedicated right-hand operation.

Utilizing detailed “voice of the customer” studies, the RT handle was ergonomically designed for optimal right-hand operation.  Featuring both front and rear-facing configuration plates, the handle allows users to easily reach all forward-facing functions with an easy sweep of the thumb.  Rear mounting functions can be actuated by the user’s index trigger without strain.

The front-facing plate may be specified with up to two HR series thumbwheels and six IX series pushbuttons.  Utilizing Hall effect technology, the HR series provides linear outputs for over five million lifecycles.  The IX series is a momentary pushbutton featuring a protective membrane to provide IP67 panel sealing for over 1M actuations.  The Rear-facing plate may be configured with up to one momentary pushbutton in addition to APEM’s FNR series.  The FNR series is a three-position rocker switch designed specifically for Forward-Neutral-Reverse “FNR” functions.  Considering the maximum possible configuration, the new RT handle can provide up to four axes of proportional control and 10 momentary pushbutton functions.

The XD series is a rugged Hand Grip joystick engineered for demanding vehicle applications.  Featuring redundant Hall effect sensors to provide more than 10 million operations, it measures just 60mm below panel yet withstands horizontal loads up to 400lbf.  The XD series may be specified with CAN bus J1939 or CANopen outputs and is considered Sil2 compatible.  The result is a compact yet robust joystick ideally suited for off-highway vehicles and machinery.