Designed & Made in the USA Since 1983
Applicable Devices
RS-232 Remote
A read switch decouples the trigger event from the instrument’s own controls, and that separation solves several distinct problems depending on where the constraint sits in your measurement setup.
If the connected RS-232 device has no front-panel send or print button, a serial command or handshake assertion is the only way to initiate a data send. If the RS-232 Remote is mounted away from the workstation, configuring the read switch port on the Base Receiver lets the operator trigger a reading from the PC side without walking back to the instrument. If the instrument is fixtured for repeatability and must not be touched between readings, such as a height gage on a layout station or a hardness tester holding a part under load, triggering from a read switch (rather than a button on the device itself) eliminates the risk of disturbing the setup mid-measurement. And where the device sits in a position that’s awkward to reach repeatedly, a foot or hand switch removes that ergonomic burden from the operator entirely.
These configurations also carry quality system weight. Triggering measurement capture through a defined, repeatable mechanism, rather than relying on inconsistent manual operation of the instrument, supports the measurement process control expectations under ISO 9001 Clause 7.1.5, IATF 16949, and 21 CFR Part 820: reducing operator-introduced variation in when and how a reading is acquired.
MicroRidge offers various read switches, including Hand Switches and Foot Switches, for users to conveniently trigger readings.
With the MobileCollect system, a read switch can be used with both the Remote and the Base. This leads to the ultimate in configurability and thus user ergonomics. Keep in mind that is some cases both Bases and Remotes can be used with read switches simultaneously.
In addition to onboard print buttons, many devices have serial commands that can be sent to the RS-232 port to request a reading. Other devices continually output a stream of data or require a hardware handshake signal to request a reading. The RS-232 Remote read switch port can be programmed to capture a reading from all 3 options. Base Receiver read switch ports can be programmed to send a serial command.
Note: These setup steps must be completed after RS-232 Remote Pairing and Initial Setup are completed.
Note: a & b the image denote alternate paths to the same function.
Once the read switch action is defined and the setup is sent to the RS-232 Remote, the configuration persists on the unit and requires no further software interaction for day-to-day use. The selected trigger function, whether it’s gated capture from a continuous data stream, a handshake-triggered read, or a command string send, fires each time the read switch is pressed, with auto-repeat available for sustained data collection.
Matching the trigger location to the constraint that drove the setup keeps the measurement process repeatable: a read switch at the Remote when the device can’t be touched or reached without disrupting the fixture, and a read switch at the Base when the operator’s working position is away from the instrument. Either path removes operator-introduced timing variation from the read trigger, supporting the measurement process control intent of ISO 9001 Clause 7.1.5, IATF 16949, and 21 CFR Part 820.
For initial pairing and communication parameter setup, see RS-232 Remote – Pairing and Initial Setup. For a full reference on read switch behavior, command strings, and data parsing groups, consult the MobileCollect Hardware Components Users Guide.
Andy Duvall is an owner of MicroRidge Systems and serves as the company’s sales director. With over a decade of experience as a product design and launch engineer, Andy works closely with MicroRidge customers to identify and implement the most effective measurement and interface solutions for their organizations.
