CRANE CAB Ӏ COMPONENTS
If comfort and style are key
requirements, TEK says the high spec NTS2 seat from ISRI is a good option. It's pre-finished for different types of cabins and includes variable height adjustment with memory; tilt and seat fore/ aft adjustment; and an integrated three-point safety belt. To ensure the backrest fits
the body’s contours it also has a pneumatic system.
THE SCIENCE OF CONTROL Once comfortable in their seat the operator typically controls the crane via the use of a joystick. Here comfort, intuitive use, configurability and control are key attributes to aiding man and machine unity. According to Saanichton,
Canada-headquartered custom control solutions supplier Sure Grip Controls there is a science behind designing a joystick for maximum operator comfort, configurability and durability, as demonstrated in the development of its new Endurance Series joystick. The Endurance Series joysticks
have been optimised to reduce user fatigue and repetitive strain injuries. To achieve this the company started by considering the anthropometrics of its users by utilising databases to evaluate the smallest and largest physical dimensions of operators; it then designed the joystick to be used comfortably by both. It also utilised user feedback
to tweak the joystick’s design resulting in a dual-angle faceplate that moves the upper controls closer to the user’s thumb. This, it claims, reduces the need to reach, which improves control and minimises strain on the thumb. The faceplate angle also matches the natural resting position of a thumb relative to the rest of the hand.
The Endurance Series is available as right and left specific handles. Another piece of feedback
that the company received during development was that many ergonomic right and left handles are directive, forcing users to hold the handle in one specific way. In real- use situations being able to change your grip style can help to prevent fatigue and injury, it found. With the Endurance Series, it
took this feedback into account and designed the handles to be comfortable in different hand positions. For example, the joystick is comfortable to use whether the user wants to rest their hand on top of the grip while working or hold the joystick by its shaft with the hand naturally cradled by the hand rest at the base of the grip, it claims. Configurability is another key characteristic of an ergonomic handle, says Sure Grip, because different applications need different controls. It offers a wide range of faceplate and trigger control options allowing users to select the best layout. In its Endurance Series it has
also introduced new high-visibility LED buttons that are visible in full sunlight but can be adjusted to the right brightness to reduce strain on the user’s eyes. The RGB LEDs can also be configured to any colour.
DEMANDING ENVIRONMENTS Another joystick manufacturer, Curtiss-Wright Corporation – which is headquartered in North Carolina, USA, but has factories and operations internationally, has launched the JC8100 joystick controller. It’s an updated version of its well established JC8000 series. For demanding construction
site environments the joystick has been built to be extra strong, with a low pivot point designed to reduce angular deflection and
Curtiss-Wright’s JC8100 joystick controller
wiring wear. It also has a centre detent for enhanced return-to- centre operation and a high mechanical strength for heavy-duty applications, says Curtiss-Wright. Half-effect sensor technology
further eliminates contact wear and provides safety functionality via dual analogue outputs with sense options per axis or J1939 or CANopen output options. For maximum ergonomics a choice of multi-function grips is available, including those with up to four axes of additional proportional control and featuring up to ten finger/thumb controls including pushbuttons, rocker and momentary switches, proportional rollers, etc. The joystick can also be supplied as ‘base-only’ enabling custom grips to be fitted.
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