How tough is the Durapoint computer mouse developed by Interlink Electronics Inc.? Built with a metal casing and no moving parts to break or clog up with grease or gunk, the Durapoint is tough enough to withstand use in oil refineries, automobile assembly lines and machine shops. And that’s just the start of the punishment this device can take. “You can drop it off a building or drive a truck over it and it would still work,” said Declan Flannery, Interlink’s chief operating officer. The Durapoint mouse is one of the newest products the Camarillo manufacturer is bringing to laptops used in rugged work environments, where there is more and more demand. That includes touch pads that can be used after being exposed to water or by industrial workers wearing heavy gloves. “There is a natural growth across all the markets,” Flannery said. Interlink’s technology has attracted Japanese electronics giant Panasonic Corp., which needed a touchpad for its Toughbook computer. Interlink supplied its VersaPad, a moisture resistant surface that can be used with a finger, stylus or glove. The Toughbook is designed for use by police, firefighters, military personnel and utility workers. Then there’s the MicroModule, a finger-activated mouse pad for machine-control panels and medical devices. Daisy Data Displays Inc., of York Haven, Pa., uses the MicroModule on computers designed for military ships. Heavily used displays, such as public kiosks that dispense tickets, also are an application. One auto industry client is using an Interlink touchpad for its on-board navigation system as a replacement for buttons and switches, said Howard Goldberg, Interlink’s executive vice president of business development. “While not an industrial use, they are looking for durability and reliability,” he said. – Mark R. Madler
Computer Mouse Likes Rough Stuff
