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WedgeLink Keyboard Wedges

A keyboard wedge is used when you are trying to get data from some type of measuring device into applications that cannot accept data from a serial port.  A software keyboard wedge reads data from a serial port and passes this data to a PC application in such a manner that the application thinks the data is entered via the keyboard. 

What is a Keyboard Wedge?

A keyboard wedge is a piece of hardware or software that translates native RS-232 serial or digital gage outputs into keystrokes that are interpreted by the computer as keyboard characters. The computer processes the MicroRidge keyboard wedge output as if it were coming from a regular keyboard. The hardware wedge output conforms to the USB Human Interface Device (HID) specification. Since applications and programs are designed to be manipulated by your mouse and keyboard, MicroRidge keyboard wedge output can enter data into any software.

Software Wedge

Software wedges accomplish the same outcome but are applications installed on an operator’s computer. They read incoming serial port data (either physical [DB9] or virtual [USB]) and output the keystroke data. Set up requires the installation of the wedge software and any drivers required to utilize a virtual ComPort. The main benefits of utilizing a software wedge is the incorporation of features such as adding date/time stamps and parsing. Data parsing allows a document owner to set up conditional rules and parameters to modify the incoming data stream before being processed through the wedge. This lets a document owner remove unnecessary data, reorder values, perform basic calculations, and change the End of Packet (EOP) character.

Hardware Wedge

Hardware wedges are quick and easy; they’re best suited for simple operations. Many of MicroRidge’s hardware wedges can be customized with our setup programs. Customization of multiple units can be done on a document owner’s (person in charge of data) computer and then deployed to the work cells. They do not require any software to be installed onto the operator’s computer and allow for true “plug-and-play” installations.

The Power of Keyboard Wedge

MicroRidge Guide on Keyboard Wedge Output into Excel

One of the key features in each of the MicroRidge Product Families is the ability to send gage data via a keyboard wedge output. The keyboard wedge output allows an operator (person taking measurements) to send gage data to any software including web/cloud-based programs, Microsoft Excel, and any internal/proprietary software at your manufacturing site.

MicroRidge offers native keyboard wedge output on the MobileCollect Wedge BaseGageWay KWGageWay Pro SeriesWedgeLink SP, and WedgeLink AT.

Hardware Keyboard Wedges

The WedgeLink AT is a user-configurable hardware keyboard wedge that accepts input from any RS-232 device. With the WedgeLink AT, you can transfer RS-232 data into any PC application that accepts keyboard input. Common applications that are used with the WedgeLink AT include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and Minitab.

  • WedgeLink AT

    $275.00
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Software Keyboard Wedges

When to choose WedgeLink Lite

  • If the data format coming from your serial device is exactly what you want to send to your target application. WedgeLink Lite does allow you to add a date/time stamp as a data prefix.
  • You are looking for an economical solution for transferring properly formatted serial port data directly into Windows applications.
  • Many barcode scanners and other devices can be used very effectively with WedgeLink Lite.

When to Choose WedgeLink Standard

  • If the data format coming from your serial device needs to be modified before sending the data to your target application (i.e., you need data parsing).
  • You need to parse your input data packets and you need to add a date/time stamp to your data.
  • Many serial devices output extra information such as units (pounds, inches, etc.) and you need to remove the units fields before sending the data to your target application.
  • WedgeLink Lite & Standard

    $99.00$199.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Accessories

  • 6′ DB9 Serial Extension Cable

    $12.00
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  • ProAdapter

    $75.00
    Add to cart
  • DB9 Adapter Kit

    $20.00
    Add to cart
  • DB9 Null Modem Cable

    $12.00
    Add to cart
  • Foot Switch

    $89.00
    Add to cart
  • Hand Switch

    $89.00
    Add to cart