8 Game‑Changing Ways Our Industrial Joystick Revolutionized Airport Equipment at TLD France
Airport operations demand precision, reliability, and seamless integration—but these aren’t easy to achieve on ground support equipment (GSE) that must handle heavy loads and harsh environments. SAEKAI’s robust industrial joystick, embedded in our innovative XKB Industrial Controller, recently delivered a transformative upgrade to TLD France’s fleet, enhancing control of key airport vehicles like belt loaders, pushback tractors, and passenger stairs.
The result? A leap in equipment uptime, operator control accuracy, and maintainability. Below, we explore how our industrial joystick met TLD’s demanding standards for airport service equipment.
The Challenge: High‑Stress Conditions in GSE Applications
Ground support equipment operates under relentless pressure—constant vibration, exposure to hydraulic fluids, electrified environments, and repetitive operator interaction day and night. For TLD France, joystick failures meant shortened downtime windows, increased safety risks, and costly manual overrides.
Essential GSE types—belt loaders, cargo tugs, lavatory trucks, and air stair units—rely on precise motion control. According to the industry definition of Ground Support Equipment, these vehicles provide critical services to aircraft between flights :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Why Industrial Joystick Quality Matters in Airports
A high-quality industrial joystick ensures:
- Accurate, smooth motion for safe, damage-free operations at aircraft interfaces
- High reliability under vibration, temperature swings, and moisture
- Ergonomic comfort for operators during long shifts
- Easy servicing to minimize equipment downtime
How XKB Joystick Exceeds Expectations—8 Core Strengths
- Rugged IP67 Housing: Fully sealed against dust, fluids, and pressure washes—ideal for apron conditions.
- Hall‑Effect Non‑Contact Sensors: No mechanical wear, drift-free control, and a lifespan exceeding 20 million cycles.
- MIL‑Grade Vibration Resistance: Operates flawlessly on trucks, tugs, and loaders subject to constant use.
- Customizable Detent & Speed Modes: Operators at TLD France can switch between smooth and stepped control for delicate or rapid maneuvers.
- CANopen Digital Interface: Plug‑and‑play with TLD’s vehicle PLCs, offering real‑time diagnostics and telemetry.
- Ergonomic Thumb & Side Buttons: Assignable for horn, beacon, or mode switching—reducing operator fatigue.
- Quick‑Swap Electronic Modules: Simplified field replacements cut service time by 60%.
- LED Feedback Ring: Shows system status—power OK, fault, or maintenance required—at a glance.
Case Study: TLD France’s Fleet Transformation
TLD France deployed the XKB joystick across 20 mixed GSE platforms at CDG and ORY airports, replacing less reliable analog joysticks. After six months of operation, performance gains included:
- 35% fewer joystick-related downtime events, leading to smoother turnaround operations.
- 20% faster positioning accuracy for loaders and stairs, reducing aircraft servicing delays.
- Half-year MTBF improvement from 8,000 to 12,000 hours—thanks to non-contact sensors and sealed construction.
- Operator-reported satisfaction rose 40% due to smoother control and functional ergonomics.
Integration with Airport Ground Support Ecosystem
Thanks to CANopen support and modular design, the XKB joystick integrates natively with the embedded control systems common in modern GSE. TLD engineers appreciated swift resolution of fault codes and status data via their vehicle management displays. In case of error, LED status indicators flagged issues early, preventing escalations.
Why ISO and IEC Standards Matter
Industrial joysticks must adhere to rigorous standards like ISO 2631 for vibration exposure and IEC 60947 for electrical safety. The XKB joystick is fully compliant—ensuring TLD’s fleet meets both EU and ICAO requirements without extra retrofits or certification costs.
Competitive Advantages Over Other Solutions
Unlike many joysticks that emphasize single-axis or analog potentiometer designs, our industrial joystick delivers:
- Non-wear sensors for unrivaled lifespan
- Digital communication for efficient troubleshooting
- Modular parts for easy servicing
- Preconfigured ergonomic layout tailored for GSE operators
Looking Ahead: Smart, Connected Airport GSE
SAEKAI is advancing with features like firmware-over-CAN updates, torque-sensing haptics for load feedback, and AI-assisted drift prevention. These upgrades aim to reduce operator error, improve training onboarding, and move GSE toward partially autonomous operations.
Conclusion: Industrial Joystick That Elevates Airport Efficiency
With the XKB industrial joystick, TLD France now operates a more reliable, efficient, and future-ready GSE fleet. Reduced downtime, enhanced operator control, and simplified maintenance make it a game-changer for airports worldwide.
Interested in upgrading your ground support equipment?
Explore the XKB Industrial Controller here →