Mouse encoder...

Mice are really simple if anyone has taken them apart. I was thinking of
trying to use one as a trackball for a CNC (kind of like the Hurco). The
trouble with a mouse, however, is that it is designed to have the ball drop
down with gravity, not being pressed in. In summary, I don't think it
would work to well. There is an easy solution though. Many McIntosh users
swear by trackballs and hence they are fairly common. and if you want to
integrate one into a panel, check out the Logitech line. About 5 years ago
they sold a micro trackball which was designed to clip onto the side of a
laptop. I think (don't quote me) they called it a trackman or something
like that. They are a bit less common, but should be relatively easy to
find still.

Just a thought in case someone wanted a trackball.

--Alan