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Cursor Controls L38 Trackball
For teams working across industrial and medical environments, the Cursor Controls L38 Trackball offers reliable cursor control through contact-less infra-red optical tracking. This field-ready trackball eliminates mechanical wear issues common in traditional devices by using solid state sensing, ensuring precise and consistent performance. Its sealed enclosure meets IP68 standards, providing dust and water resistance that supports washdown and sterilisation processes. The L38 is compatible with back-of-panel mounting in OEM keyboards and consoles and features configurable electrical outputs and friction adjustment to fit various applications. Certified to CE and RoHS standards, this continuous-duty trackball is designed for demanding deployments requiring durability and hygiene.
Its robust design maintains performance despite rigorous cleaning and exposure, aiding long lifecycle and low-maintenance operation in diverse settings.
L38 Features
- Solid State Sensing Technology
- Sealing To IP68
- Smooth Operation In Rugged Environments
- Various Top Plate Configurations and Ball Colours
- Self Draining and Back Flushing Features (Optional)
- Vx3 Integrated Zoom Feature
- USB & PS2 (Auto-Select) Or Sun Systems
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Product Type
Format
Manufacturer
Country Of Manufacture
United Kingdom
Certifications
CE, RoHS compliant
Custom Options Products
Cable Type,Cable Length,Interface,Trackball Colour
The Cursor Controls L38 Trackball is designed and engineered for use in demanding environments where reliability, durability are essential. The L38 supports a wide range of industries and operational applications.
Common deployment industries include: Food And Beverage Processing, Healthcare And Medical, Industrial Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical.
Across these sectors, the L38 is typically used in applications such as Industrial HMI And Machine Interfacing, Medical Carts And Clinical Mobile Workstations, Process Control And Shop-Floor Monitoring, Quality Control And Inspection, Robotics And Autonomous System Control, SCADA And Control-Room Access, Secure Access, Authentication, And Control Terminals.
These examples demonstrate the versatility of the L38 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 L38 is appropriate for your specific application, please contact us.
The Cursor Controls L38 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 L38 Trackball, must be presented to RUGGED in the United Kingdom.
For more information about the Cursor Controls L38 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 L38 Trackball or require a custom solution or demonstration?
At RUGGED, we recognise that every project has its own unique demands. If you have any questions about the Cursor Controls L38 or need a custom Rugged Trackball solution designed specifically for you, our team of technical experts are ready to assist you.
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F38-Halo
- Industrial-grade aluminium housing
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- Reinforced impact-resistant aluminium housing
- Electromagnetic shielding for signal integrity
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- Sealed rear-panel mounting with custom options

P25-Compact-Backlit
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P38-Ultra-Compact
- Ultra-compact back-of-panel mounting
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- Selectable resolution up to 482 pulses/revolution
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Having trouble finding what you're looking for?
Selecting the right product for your specific application and environment can be quite challenging. At Rugged, our team of experts is on hand to assist you in making the best choice. Whether you have questions about product specifications or require guidance through our range of solutions, we’re here to help.
With our extensive industry knowledge and commitment to quality, we can ensure you find the ideal solution tailored to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
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 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 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.
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 excel in applications requiring precise control, operating like an upside-down mouse where the user moves the ball to control the cursor. This design eliminates the need to move the entire device, which is particularly beneficial in environments with limited workspace or for users who need to maintain a fixed arm or wrist position. The smooth, consistent movement of a trackball allows for highly accurate cursor placement and manipulation, making it ideal for tasks that demand fine motor control. Many professionals prefer a rugged trackball for its durability and sustained precision in demanding conditions.
Trackballs are versatile pointing devices designed for a variety of applications, especially in settings where durability, precision, and space efficiency are critical. They are commonly used in industrial, marine, military, and medical environments.
Key uses for a trackball include:
- Industrial Control: For operating machinery and process control systems where gloves or harsh conditions are present.
- Marine Applications: Ideal for navigation systems, sonar, and communication on ships and boats, offering stability in moving environments.
- Military Systems: Employed in command and control centers, vehicles, and field equipment due to their robust construction and reliable performance.
- Medical Equipment: Used in diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, providing hygienic and precise input.
- Public Access Kiosks: Found in ATMs, information kiosks, and public terminals due to their tamper-resistant design.
Unlike a mouse, a trackball remains stationary, which saves desk space and offers a stable platform for input, making them particularly suitable for situations where movement is restricted or the user needs to maintain a fixed posture. Many rugged trackball units are also designed to be resistant to liquids, dust, and vibrations, ensuring reliable operation in challenging conditions.
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.
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.








