Cursor Controls R55 Trackball

For teams working across industrial control settings, the Cursor Controls R55 Trackball offers a rugged, precise input solution designed for harsh manufacturing and machinery environments. It features a 57mm thermoset phenolic ball housed in durable ABS polycarbonate built to resist impacts and maintain accuracy through over 10 million ball revolutions. The trackball delivers consistent tracking speeds up to 200 RPM, supported by photo-optical quadrature encoders providing precise position feedback.

The R55 incorporates versatile PS/2 and RS232 interfaces, enabling seamless integration with various industrial PC systems. It operates reliably between -5°C and +70°C and tolerates humidity levels up to 95% non-condensing, making it suitable for typical industrial conditions. Its housing meets IP40 dust ingress protection standards and is CE and RoHS compliant. The rear mount design supports installation in control panels where stability and low maintenance are essential.

R55 Features

  • Rugged Professional Trackerball
  • Robust Construction
  • Quadrature, Sun, RS232 Or USB Or PS2
  • Quadrature, Sun, RS232 Or USB Or PS2
  • High Grade Stainless Steel Shafts and Bearings
  • Various Top Plate Configurations and Ball Colours
  • Custom Connector Options

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Manufacturer

Certifications & Standards

Ruggedness

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

Black

Humidity

30% min, 95% max, non-condensing

Lifetime

>10 million ball revolutions

Storage Temperature

Storage Temperature -10C to +85 C

Temperature Rating

Operating Temperature -5C to +70C

Ball

Thermoset Phenolic, 57mm

Ball Load

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

Ball Rotation

Continuous and reversible in any direction

Ball Speed

200 RPM maximum

Housing Material

ABS

Mounting Filter

Rear Mount

Mounting Position

Horizontal to 30

Power

PS/2 - 5 V DC +/- 5% RS232 - +/- 12 V DC

Resolution

(Quadrature) 200 pulses per ball revolution (other options available upon request)

Tracking Force

15gms Nominal continuous no seal (IP40/NEMA)

Transducers

Photo-optical encoders with LEDS

The Cursor Controls R55 Trackball is designed and engineered for use in demanding environments where reliability, durability are essential. The R55 supports a wide range of industries and operational applications.

Common deployment industries include: Construction, Industrial Manufacturing, Logistics And Supply Chain, Warehousing.

Across these sectors, the R55 is typically used in applications such as Broadcast And Media Control Consoles, Industrial HMI And Machine Interfacing, Process Control And Shop-Floor Monitoring, SCADA And Control-Room Access, Secure Access, Authentication, And Control Terminals.

These examples demonstrate the versatility of the R55 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 R55 is appropriate for your specific application, please contact us.

The Cursor Controls R55 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 R55 Trackball, must be presented to RUGGED in the United Kingdom.

For more information about the Cursor Controls R55 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 R55 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 R55 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.

    • Sealed design with IP65 protection
    • Stainless steel 50mm ball with corrosion resistance
    • Supports USB and PS/2 interfaces
    • Over 2 million sealed ball revolutions life
    • Aluminium housing offers electrical shielding and environmental protection
    • Patented anti-vibration technology reduces erratic ball movement
    • CE and RoHS compliant with front-panel mounting
    • Corrosion-resistant construction for continuous-duty use
    • High-mass 60mm ball for precise control
    • IP40 sealed housing for dust resistance
    • Over 10 million ball revolutions lifespan
    • Rear mount with adjustable installation angle
    • Compact rear-mount design
    • Selectable backlit ball for low-light use
    • Patented dust and moisture seal system
    • Over one million ball revolutions lifetime
  • 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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

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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.