Penny & Giles has launched a pair of single axis fingertip rocker units which it says can replace bulkier single axis joysticks without sacrificing functionality.

Increasingly crowded control panels and remote control transmitter units benefit from switches with compact dimensions and minimal projection from the mounting surface.

The JC025 and JC030 rockers can each control both movement and speed by interfacing with an electronic controller. A conductive plastic potentiometer gives an analogue output proportional to the position of the rocker button (O% to 100%). Switched reference signals operate at ±2.5° from centre so that the electronic controller can identify rocker movement direction. This feature can also be used to build controller fault detection circuits.

The rocker buttons on both models have sprung centre return. A centre tap gives a reference signal for position, or a zero point for a bipolar supply voltage. Switches are rated at 200mA resistive load with a maximum supply voltage of 35Vdc.