Cursor Controls K38 Trackball

The Cursor Controls K38 Trackball is built around its reinforced ABS polycarbonate case and 38mm thermoset phenolic ball, supporting reliable pointer control in confined industrial panels. It integrates photo-optical encoders with a durable stainless steel and polyester ball construction, delivering long-life operation suitable for continuous-duty environments. Designed for industrial control systems, it supports multiple interfaces including TTL Quadrature, USB, and PS/2 protocols, facilitating versatile deployment. Its robust design withstands vibration, mechanical stress, and downward loads up to 200N, while allowing rotational speeds up to 200 RPM for smooth tracking.

Certified to CE and RoHS standards, the K38 operates across an extended temperature range from 0 C to +70 C and can be stored at temperatures between -25 C and +85 C. While non-sealed, it offers an IP40 rating, making it suitable for dust-sealed indoor environments. Its configuration options include cable length, interface, and trackball colour, enabling adaptation to specific control panel requirements. This trackball is practical for deployment in industrial, manufacturing, and technical settings requiring precise, field-ready input devices.

K38 Features

  • Sealing Options To Ip40 (Nema)
  • Ultra Smooth Operation
  • Various Backlit Ball Options
  • Quadrature, PS2, USB
  • Microsoft Dos, Windows & Nt Compatible
  • Excellent Environmental Capabilities
  • USB & PS2 (Auto-Select) Or Sun Systems

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Manufacturer

Certifications & Standards

Ruggedness

Mounting Format

Country Of Manufacture

United Kingdom

Case Material

ABS Polycarbonate

Certifications

CE, RoHS compliant

Custom Options Products

Cable Type,Cable Length,Interface,Trackball Colour

Housing Colour

Grey

Humidity

30% min, 95% max, non-condensing

Lifetime

>10 million ball revolutions - non-sealed

Storage Temperature

Storage Temperature -25C to + 85 C

Temperature Rating

Operating Temperature 0C to +70C
Storage Temperature -25C to +85C

Ball

Thermoset Phenolic, Polyester or Stainless Steel 38mm

Ball Load

200N Maximum downward pressure (20Kg) @ 20C

Ball Rotation

Continuous and reversible in any direction

Ball Speed

200 RPM maximum

Housing Material

ABS in cream

Interface Filter

TTL Quadrature

Mounting Filter

Top Mount

Mounting Position

Horizontal to 30 (non-sealed versions)

Power

Supply Voltage 5 V DC +/- 5%
Supply Current Quadrature format 10ma typical
Protocol format 20ma typical
Optional Backlight +5 V DC, 100ma

Resolution

(Quadrature) 241 pulses per ball revolution (Protocol) 482/241 ppr - switch selectable (other options available upon request)<

Tracking Force

8gms Nominal continuous no seal (IP40), Polyester

Transducers

Photo-optical encoders with LEDS

The Cursor Controls K38 Trackball is designed and engineered for use in demanding environments where reliability, durability are essential. The K38 supports a wide range of industries and operational applications.

Common deployment industries include: Education, Industrial Manufacturing, Logistics And Supply Chain, Public Sector, Retail.

Across these sectors, the K38 is typically used in applications such as Aircraft Cockpit And Avionics Support Systems, Industrial HMI And Machine Interfacing, Marine Bridge And Vessel Control Systems, Process Control And Shop-Floor Monitoring, Robotics And Autonomous System Control, SCADA And Control-Room Access, Security And Surveillance Operations, Vehicle Diagnostics And Onboard Systems.

These examples demonstrate the versatility of the K38 across both industry sectors and real-world operational use cases. Its suitability extends well beyond the scenarios listed above, making it a flexible solution for a broad range of requirements.

For further information, or to assess whether the K38 is appropriate for your specific application, please contact us.

The Cursor Controls K38 Trackball comes with a 18 Month Limited Warranty With Option To Extend against defects in workmanship and materials, effective from the date of shipment (unless otherwise agreed in writing).

To receive service under this warranty, the eligible product, Cursor Controls K38 Trackball, must be presented to RUGGED in the United Kingdom.

For more information about the Cursor Controls K38 Trackball or to arrange repairs and services not covered by the warranty, please visit the warranty section on our website.

Do you need further details about the Cursor Controls K38 Trackball, or would you like to discuss a customised solution or demonstration?

At RUGGED, we recognise that every project has its own unique demands. If you have any questions about the Cursor Controls K38 or need a custom solution designed specifically for you, our team of technical experts are ready to assist you.

  • Alternative Products

    Explore alternative products offering comparable features, performance, and build quality to the model you are currently viewing.

    Our related solutions provide variations in configuration, functionality, and form factor to suit different application requirements. Each option has been selected to meet the same high standards of reliability and performance.

    Browse the related products below to identify the most suitable fit for your deployment.

    • Impact-resistant ABS polycarbonate housing
    • Coated steel ball for corrosion resistance
    • USB and PS/2 auto-select interfaces
    • Rear mount configuration for flexible installation
    • Sealed impact-resistant design
    • High-grade stainless steel components
    • EMI resistant with electrical shielding
    • Top mount integration for easy service
    • IP65 dust and moisture sealing
    • Removable top ring for cleaning
    • Corrosion-resistant stainless steel assembly
    • Dual USB and PS2 interface compatibility
    • IP65 dust and water-sealed design
    • Solid-state optical sensing with no moving parts
    • Rear-mount for OEM integration
    • CE and RoHS certified for industrial use
  • Having trouble finding what you're looking for?

    Selecting the correct solution for your specific application and operating environment requires careful consideration.

    At Rugged, our engineering and product specialists can advise on specifications, environmental suitability, mounting requirements, connectivity, and lifecycle planning to ensure the right fit for your deployment.

    With extensive industry experience and a focus on reliability and performance, we help you select a solution aligned with your operational requirements.

    Speak to a Product Specialist
  • Frequently Asked Questions

    • If you are unsure which product is best suited to your requirements, you can contact us directly for expert guidance. Share details such as your use case, environment, compatibility needs, and budget, and we will help you select the most appropriate solution.

    • RUGGED offers free technical support for the lifetime of products you purchase. This includes help with setup, troubleshooting, and integration. Support is available online or directly from the technical team

    Rugged Limited offers a variety of trackball designs, some of which are specifically engineered for environments where operators need to wear gloves. Our industrial trackballs can feature larger ball diameters and specific dome designs that facilitate easy and accurate manipulation even when wearing protective equipment. These design considerations ensure that productivity and precision are maintained in demanding work settings where gloves are a necessity.

    Many of our standalone and panel-mount trackballs are also available with IP65 sealing, meaning they are protected against dust and water ingress, which further enhances their suitability for harsh environments encountered across various industries.

    Trackballs are often considered easier to clean than conventional computer mice due to their design. With a trackball, the ball is usually removable, allowing for simple cleaning of both the ball and the internal housing. This design minimises areas where dirt and debris can accumulate unseen. In contrast, mice typically have optical sensors and crevices that can trap dust and grime, making thorough cleaning more challenging.

    This ease of cleaning makes a trackball a practical choice for environments where hygiene is a priority, such as medical facilities, industrial settings, or public access terminals. Rugged Limited provides trackball solutions that are designed not only for durability but also with maintainability in mind, ensuring they can withstand rigorous use and remain sanitary with minimal effort.

    Trackballs are exceptionally well-suited for industrial environments, offering durability and precision critical for demanding applications. They are designed to withstand harsh conditions, including exposure to dust, dirt, liquids, and extreme temperatures, which are common in industrial settings.

    Rugged Limited offers a range of industrial trackballs engineered for reliability and long-term performance. These devices typically feature robust construction and often incorporate sealed designs to protect internal components from environmental contaminants, ensuring consistent operation and minimal maintenance. The enclosed nature of a trackball also means that fewer moving parts are exposed, further enhancing its resilience in tough working conditions.

    Furthermore, the stationary nature of a rugged trackball allows for precise control without requiring significant desk space, making them ideal for integration into control panels, kiosks, and compact workstations where space is limited. Their ergonomic design can also reduce operator fatigue during long shifts, making them a practical and efficient choice for various industrial applications.

    Rugged Limited provides a selection of trackballs that are indeed designed for panel mounting. These robust devices are engineered to offer reliable cursor control in challenging industrial and public access applications.

    Our panel mountable trackball units often feature a stainless steel or robust polymer construction, making them resistant to harsh conditions such as dust, dirt, and moisture. They are typically sealed to NEMA 4X or IP65 specifications, ensuring protection against environmental factors.

    When selecting a trackball for panel mounting, it is important to consider factors such as the material, sealing, and the specific interface requirements for seamless integration into your system. To explore our full range of solutions, including panel-mountable options, you can visit our rugged trackballs page.

    Rugged Limited offers a variety of trackball solutions, and many of these are designed with USB connectivity. USB is a common and versatile interface that ensures broad compatibility with different systems, making it a convenient option for integrating a trackball into various setups.

    A USB-connected trackball delivers a stable and consistent connection, crucial for applications requiring precise cursor control and responsiveness. This connectivity method simplifies installation as USB is often plug-and-play, allowing for quick setup without complex configurations.

    When selecting a trackball, checking the product specifications for its connection type is always recommended to ensure it meets your specific requirements.

    An Industrial Trackball is essentially an upside-down ball mouse. Instead of moving the entire device, the user rotates a ball set within a housing to control the cursor on a screen. This design provides several advantages, particularly for industrial applications, as the device itself remains stationary.

    Rugged Limited offers a range of rugged trackballs that are designed to withstand harsh operating conditions. These Industrial Trackball units are typically built to a high specification, featuring robust materials and sealed constructions to protect against elements such as dust, water, and vibrations. This makes them ideal for environments where a traditional mouse would quickly fail.

    The precision and compact footprint of an Industrial Trackball also contribute to its suitability in critical applications, allowing for accurate cursor control even in spaces where desk real estate is limited or in situations requiring stable input without the need for a flat surface.

    Trackballs are versatile and can be found in numerous applications, particularly where durability, precision, and hygiene are paramount. They are commonly integrated into industrial machinery, enabling operators to control complex systems with accuracy. In medical settings, the sealed nature of a trackball prevents the ingress of contaminants, making them easy to clean and sterilise, which is essential for maintaining hygiene standards.

    Furthermore, trackballs are frequently used in marine and aviation environments due to their ability to function reliably in conditions with vibration and limited space. They are also prevalent in public access kiosks and ATMs, offering a robust and vandal-resistant input method. The compact and sealed design of these input devices makes them suitable for environments where a conventional mouse would be susceptible to damage or would not perform optimally. To explore a range of robust input solutions, including the rugged trackballs, Rugged Limited offers dependable options built for demanding use.

    A rugged trackball is specifically engineered to operate reliably in challenging conditions. Unlike a traditional mouse, a trackball allows for cursor control by manipulating a ball with your fingers or thumb, which is advantageous in environments with limited space or where precise, stable control is crucial.

    These devices are built with robust materials and often feature hermetically sealed designs to protect against dust, dirt, liquids, and extreme temperatures. This makes a rugged trackball ideal for use in industrial control systems, marine applications, military equipment, and public-access kiosks where durability and consistent performance are paramount.

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    We're here to assist and guide you with any enquiries you may have.

    Simply complete the online form or reach out using the contact details provided below.

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    We're here to assist and guide you with any enquiries you may have.

    Simply complete the online form or reach out using the contact details provided below.