GageWay Interfaces

Data Acquisition Hardware & Software for Digital Gages & RS232 Devices

Easily connect any combination of digital gages (calipers, micrometers, digital indicators, etc.) and multiple RS232 devices to your PC.  Direct connect (RS232, USB & network) and wireless systems available.  The configurability of our gage interface products allow them to be used with any statistical process control (SPC) or data acquisition (DAQ) software.  With our hardware and software wedges, you can take real-time data directly into SPC Software.  Responsive customer service and unlimited technical support are part of the quality and commitment we offer with all of our products.

 GageWay Series
Direct support for digital gages and RS232 devices
RS232, USB and network outputs

GageWay Series Unique Features & Benefits

• More advanced method of mixing digital gages and RS232 devices on the same interface.

• Connect any RS232 serial device without expensive adapter cable.

• Use the RS232 expansion port on the GageWay5 & GageWay6 for an extra RS232 input or for chaining the units together.

• Comprehensive Windows-based setup software for the PC that allows extensive GageWay configuration.

• Direct connect network option.

• Data parsing that allows you to format the output in the manner you need for your application.

• The configurability of MicroRidge gage interface products allow them to be used with any SPC or data acquisition software.

Choosing the GageWay Series For Your Gage Interface Solution

• Products that are durable, flexible and easy to use.

• All digital gages and RS232 serial devices are supported.

• Send data to any software.

• 24-hour ship (often ships the same day).

• Free software updates on the GageWay Setup Program and GageWay interface firmware.

• New features can be user installed by reprogramming the unit in the field.

• Upgrade to Network version at later date if not needed now.

• Free technical support.

• Responsive and helpful customer service.

GageWay Series Selection Table
Selecting the proper GageWay for your application is easy.  Just follow the steps below while referring to the table, check our and give us a call if you need assistance.

1. Choose the number of inputs needed.  Up to 5 inputs per unit.

2. Choose the type of inputs needed - digital gages and RS232 devices or RS232 devices only.  A level converter cable can be used to connect any RS232 device to the GageWay3 and GageWay5 interfaces.

3. Choose the output needed - RS232/USB and/or network.

• Digital gages include calipers, micrometers, and digital indicators from Mitutoyo, Federal, CDI, Ono Sokki, etc. 

• Foot switches, hand switches, gage cables, etc. are also available.

• Each GageWay is shipped with the interface, 9-pin serial cable and AC adapter for 110 VAC.  Included on the CD are the Setup Program, the Communications Test program, and Help Manual.

• Contact us about International AC adapters are available for 220 VAC @ 50 Hz. 

• Standard Mitutoyo cables can be purchased from MicroRidge or from any Mitutoyo dealer and require no modification.  Gage cables for other gages (Federal, CDI, Ono Sokki, etc.) are available.

• If you can connect your RS232 serial device directly to a PC, it can be plugged directly into a GageWay4 or GageWay6.

More reasons to choose a GageWay Series Solution . . .

Communications Test Program

• This Windows-based program allows you to test the serial communications between the GageWay and your PC.

• The Communications Test Program requires no setup and it's a great tool for initially setting up your interfaces or for troubleshooting when needed.

RS232 Support

• Serial support is built into all of the GageWay Series.  It allows the interface to take any type of data format from an RS232 serial device, and to accept the full string from the serial device.  The user can format the output in the manner needed for a particular application.

• The GageWay3 & GageWay5 have been designed to accommodate those who need to use digital gages or a mix of digital gages and RS232 devices.

• If you are using all RS232 inputs, the GageWay4 & GageWay6 have the 9-pin D-sub connector that is like the PC serial port.  You can connect your RS232 serial devices directly.

Digital Gage Support

• The advantages of digital gages are that the interface can automatically detect the gage output format, and the user does not have to be concerned with setting RS232 communications parameters.

• The 10-pin connector on the GageWay3 & GageWay5 accepts standard Mitutoyo cables.  Reliable Measuring Systems also has cables for CDI, Federal, Ono Sokki, etc.

• Standard RS232 devices can be connected to the 10-pin connector via the level converter cable.  The cable adjusts the voltage and logic levels to the proper values and provides a 9-pin serial connection configured like the PC serial port.  If your RS232 serial device has a TTL level output, it can be connected to the GageWay3 & GageWay5 without the level converter cable.

Output Format

• Unique output formats can be specified for each channel.

• Select from several standard output formats.

• Specify a custom output format.

• Output calculated results (number of measurements, average, min, max, range, standard deviation) for a set of measurements.

• Calculate TIR.

USB Option
If your computer does not have any physical serial ports, you need to create a serial port with a USB to serial cable.  Most application software is designed to read data from external devices via a serial port.  This means that whether you plug the RS232 serial device into a physical serial port or into a USB port, it still must look like a serial port to the application software.  The USB option consists of a USB cable that will convert any USB port to a serial port.

• The USB to serial cable is only $15 when purchased with one of the GageWay interfaces.

• Allows you to connect the GageWay to a USB port.

• Allows you to connect RS232 serial devices directly to your PC for troubleshooting.

Network Option

• The Network option supports a 10 Mbps TCP/IP Ethernet connection.  When the network connection is used, you can also use the RS232 output port.

• If you do not require network connection when you first purchase a GageWay interface, it can easily be added later.

Read Switches

• Each read switch is individually programmed to allow you to get readings from a single channel, all channels or specified channels.

• You can control the entire unit with a single read switch.

• You do not need a read switch for each channel.

Support

• The GWSetup Program sends all parameters to the GageWay and it also writes them to a file.  If you are having difficulty setting up your equipment, you can email the configuration file to technical support.  This is like having the support person sitting right next to you.  They can see what you have done and assist you in getting your unit operational.

• Since the parameters can be stored in a disk file, programming multiple interfaces is easy.  Just get one of the interfaces set up and tested, and once you have the proper configuration merely transfer the files to the other interfaces.