Multi Level Ergonomic Armrest

“With this armrest, the joystick, keypads, and other controls are on multiple levels, but we designed it so the operator doesn’t need to strain or stop working to access all of the controls.”

As the primary touchpoint for heavy equipment operators, armrest ergonomics is a key, but often overlooked, design aspect. Depending on the application, dozens of functions must be easily accessible to optimize machine performance and productivity. You can integrate a good number into a configurable joystick, but some operators prefer having clearly labeled buttons or switches, taking up more space on an armrest or console.

In this video, one of our engineering team managers discusses a recent armrest design we created with four levels, utilizing multiple plastic molds, so that we could incorporate many controls, including illuminated push buttons and  a custom joystick assembly. In order to maximize control space, the switches are also located on the front face of the top level so the operator can simply move their arm forward slightly to use those function, rather than having to utilize a separate console or post pilar for controls.

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