Designed & Made in the USA Since 1983
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.Â
Software and hardware keyboard wedges are used extensively in data acquisition applications that include statistical programs, spreadsheets, barcode, LIMS, etc. MicroRidge keyboard wedges can accept input data from any RS-232 serial device. The data is then passed to a Windows application in such a manner that the application thinks the data is actually coming from the keyboard.
Whether you’re comparing a hardware keyboard wedge to a software keyboard wedge, sizing up the WedgeLink AT against the WedgeLink SP, or troubleshooting an existing setup, the questions below cover the most common WedgeLink questions we hear from customers.
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The WedgeLink AT is a configurable hardware keyboard wedge that converts RS-232 output from gages, scales, hardness testers, and other instruments into keystrokes, with a full data parsing engine built in. It’s a strong fit for instruments with complex or verbose output, unknown communication parameters, or production environments where a standalone device is preferred over PC software. See the WedgeLink AT product page for full specifications.
Auto Baud Detection identifies the baud rate and communication parameters of a connected RS-232 device automatically, so you don’t need to look them up beforehand. It supports 9 baud rates from 600 to 57,600 and all combinations of parity, data bits, and stop bits. To use it, connect your device, press Reset on the WedgeLink AT, and press the Send or Print button on your instrument while the front panel LED is green. The instrument needs a Send or Print button to transmit on demand; continuously transmitting devices should use manual parameter selection in the Setup Program instead.
Yes. The Find First Numeric Field function scans the incoming packet and extracts the first valid numeric value, discarding surrounding text, units, or status flags. This is the most commonly used parsing function for scales and other instruments that transmit more than a single measurement value.
No, not for day-to-day operation. The “Wedge” port presents to the computer as a standard USB HID keyboard and is recognized natively by Windows, macOS, and Linux. The Setup Program and FTDI driver are only needed once, during initial configuration through the separate “RS-232 & Prog” port.
The Wedge port is the keyboard output port used during normal operation and requires no driver. The RS-232 & Prog port is used for one-time setup with the Windows Setup Program and can also pass parsed data to a virtual COM port if needed. After configuration, move the USB cable to the Wedge port for keyboard wedge output.
Yes. The WedgeLink AT has a built-in front-panel send button plus a 2.5mm jack for a MicroRidge hand switch or foot switch, both sold separately with 6′ cables. Each switch is configured independently and can send a command, accept the next reading, or toggle a handshake line.
Yes. The Setup Program can save a configuration to a file and load it into additional units, which is the standard approach for multi-station or fleet deployments where every unit interfaces with the same instrument type.
Yes. Six layouts are supported: US/Canada (default), Mexico/Latin America, UK/Australia, French, Belgium, and German. The layout selected on the WedgeLink AT must match the keyboard layout selected in Windows, or characters won’t display correctly.
Yes. Firmware updates are available at no charge from the MicroRidge website and are applied over the RS-232 & Prog USB connection. No return service is required.