Panel-mount trackballs and touchpads for consoles, control panels, medical and marine workstations · Ball size and tracking technology, ingress protection, mounting, interface, buttons, resolution, temperature and environmental tests
An industrial trackball or touchpad is a pointing device built into a console, keyboard or control panel, where a desktop mouse would be impractical or would not survive dirt, liquids, cleaning or vibration. Its sealing and mounting matter as much as its tracking. Ask three things first: how the device will be mounted and sealed in your panel, which interface and buttons the host needs, and what cleaning, temperature and environmental conditions it must withstand.
Panel-mount and keyboard-integrated trackballs and touchpads for industrial, medical, marine, defence and kiosk equipment, including trackball modules with buttons. Office mice and desktop trackballs, touch screens (see touch screen), ergonomic office keyboards (see ergonomic keyboard) and joysticks are outside this page.
01
Cursor Controls describes its X38 and L50 series as trackballs with an infrared optical tracking engine, solid-state sensing with no moving parts except the ball, and sealing up to IP68, with the IP rating stated in accordance with IEC 60529. The L50 page adds that the solid-state design lets the user wash down, decontaminate and sterilise the device; its configuration options include no seal or scraper seal and versions with a drain hole, while X38 options include a damper ring and PTFE ball seals with a removable ball retention ring. [1] [2]
GETT lists a front panel module with an integrated 38 mm trackball resistant to dirt, dust and liquid (IP65), and a 50 mm trackball in a brushed stainless steel front plate with vandal-resistant stainless steel keys (IP65) for control systems and info terminals. [3] [4]
Rugged-Key's site describes an IP65 vandal-proof trackball with a 50.1 mm mechanical module and hardened resin ball, 400 resolution, three sealed metal buttons with a middle scroll button, a 1.50 mm stainless steel top plate with threaded bolts and water-tight gasket, an operating temperature of −40 °C to +75 °C, and a statement that the whole trackball meets MIL-STD-810H. [5]
Give the supplier the device type (trackball or touchpad), ball size, tracking technology, IP rating at the front of the panel, cleaning and disinfection agents, panel material and thickness, mounting method and cut-out, interface (USB, PS/2 or other), number and type of buttons, resolution, operating and storage temperature, environmental test standards and cable length.
02
The Cursor Controls X38 and L50 trackballs are designed to be mounted to the back of a panel as part of OEM keyboards and consoles, with USB and PS/2 outputs selected automatically; the L50 is also offered with a SUN interface option, and the X38 adds external switch connections on USB and PS/2 versions. [1] [2]
The GETT modules are complete front-panel units with mouse buttons, while the Rugged-Key trackball uses a top stainless plate with threaded bolts for top-panel mounting sealed by a gasket. [3] [4] [5]
Editorial note: an IP rating applies to the device as installed; agree how the seal at the panel cut-out is made and tested, not only the rating of the trackball itself.
03
This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's design.
| Part | Role | Fix in the order |
|---|---|---|
| Ball | Moved by the user. [1] [5] | Size; material; colour. |
| Tracking engine | Sense ball motion. [1] [2] [5] | Optical or mechanical; resolution. |
| Ball seal and retention ring | Keep liquids and dirt out. [1] [2] | Seal type; removable ball. |
| Top plate and gasket | Mount and seal to the panel. [5] [4] | Material; mounting; cut-out. |
| Buttons | Click and scroll. [3] [5] | Number; sealing. |
| Interface electronics | Connect to the host. [1] [2] | USB, PS/2 or other. |
04
A trackball or touchpad selection needs values for your equipment. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.
| Field | What it means and published values | Ask the supplier for |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking Resolution | Counts per unit of ball travel; e.g. 400 resolution. [5] | Value and units. |
| Report Rate | How often position is reported to the host. | Value. |
| Interface | E.g. USB and PS/2 auto-select. [1] [2] | Interface; connector. |
| Operating Temperature | E.g. −40 °C to +75 °C. [5] | Range. |
| Storage Temperature | Range when not in use. | Range. |
| Operating Humidity | Humidity range. | Range; test standard. |
| Ingress Protection | E.g. IP65; up to IP68 per IEC 60529. [3] [1] | Rating as installed. |
| Actuation Force | Force to roll the ball or press buttons; tracking force options exist. [1] [2] | Values. |
| Switch Life | Button operating life. | Cycles. |
| Weight | Device mass. | Value. |
| Cable Length | Lead to the host. | Length; connector. |
05
Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.
Device: [trackball or touchpad; ball size] Tracking: [optical or mechanical; resolution] Sealing: [IP rating as installed; cleaning agents] Mounting: [front or back of panel; cut-out; panel material] Interface: [USB, PS/2 or other; buttons; scroll] Environment: [temperature; vibration; test standards] Cable: [length; connector] Volume: [quantity]
This company lists rugged trackballs and touchpads.
Lists rugged sealed trackballs, touchpads and keyboards with trackball or touchpad for industrial, medical, vehicle and marine use.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
One maker states its solid-state optical trackball can be washed down, decontaminated and sterilised, with sealing up to IP68. [2]
Sources checked 2026-10-11. Sources are makers' product pages for specific trackball models, cited as examples of the parameters a trackball specification covers, not endorsements.
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