MicroRidge MobileCollect Digital User manual

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Printed: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 7:32 AM in Sunriver, Oregon.
MobileCollect Selection Tool
Copyright © 2011-2017 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.

IContents
Copyright © 2011-2017 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 1 ...................................................................................................................................Introduction
Chapter 2 2 ...................................................................................................................................Mobile Modules
...................................................................................................................................Mini & Digital Mobile Modules 2
...................................................................................................................................RS-232 Mobile Module 3
...................................................................................................................................Command Mobile Module 3
Chapter 3 4 ...................................................................................................................................Gage Cables
...................................................................................................................................Cable Lengths 4
...................................................................................................................................Mobile Module Connectors 5
Chapter 4 6 ...................................................................................................................................Gage & Price Updates
Chapter 5 7 ...................................................................................................................................Selection Tool Operation
...................................................................................................................................Selection Tool Tabs 7
.......................................................................................................................Cables & Mobile Modules 8
.......................................................................................................................RS-232 Remotes 10
.......................................................................................................................Bases 11
.......................................................................................................................Summary 12
...................................................................................................................................Printed Summary 13
Chapter 6 14 ...................................................................................................................................Purchase Orders
Chapter 7 15 ...................................................................................................................................Warranty Information
Chapter 8 16 ...................................................................................................................................Contact MicroRidge

Introduction 1
Copyright © 2011-2017 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.
MobileCollect Selection Tool
1 Introduction
There are hundreds of gages that are supported by MobileCollect. With the MobileCollect
Selection Tool you can quickly determine the gage cable and Mobile Module required for your
gage. All you need is the gage manufacturer and the gage model number (gage code for
Mitutoyo).
When you configure a MobileCollect wireless system, you can specify the following:
§Gage cables for connecting your gages to Mobile Modules.
§Type of Mobile Module (Mini, Digital or RS-232) required for each gage.
§Number of Remotes required. Remotes are optional and may not be required for your
configuration.
§Number and type of Bases (USB, USB MicroBase or RS-232) required. You will need a
Base for each PC that will be receiving wireless measurements
§Accessories such as Serial to USB cables.
The most difficult task in this configuration process can be determining the gage cables and
Mobile Modules required for your gages. The MobileCollect Selection Tool allows you to enter
the gage models (gage code for Mitutoyo gages) and will show you the gage cables and Mobile
Modules required for your gages. The MobileCollect Selection Tool contains information for
over 1,000 gage models and allows you to quickly configure a MobileCollect. system.
Using the MobileCollect Selection Tool
§Select the gage manufacture from the list of supported manufactures. Additional gage
manufacturers will be added in the future.
§Search for the gage using the model/code number and/or gage type.
§When a selected gage is added to the selected gage list, the type of Mobile Module will
automatically be identified.
§Specify the number of gage cables required for a gage model. The total price of the gage
cables, number of Mobile Modules and total price of the Mobile Modules will automatically
be displayed.
§Specify the number of Remotes required, and the total prices will automatically be
displayed. Remotes are optional and may not be required for your configuration.
§Specify the number and type of Bases required, and the total prices will automatically be
displayed. A Base is required for each PC that will be receiving wireless measurements.
§Print a summary report showing all of the items selected. This report shows individual and
total prices.
§Save the configuration to a file for later retrieval.

Mobile Modules 2
Copyright © 2011-2017 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.
MobileCollect Selection Tool
2Mobile Modules
The Mobile Modules are portable battery operated transmitters that are typically used with gages
such as calipers, micrometers, digital indicators, etc. Support is provided for digital and RS-232
gages and devices. The MobileCollect Mobile Modules support more gages than wireless
systems from other manufacturers. Gage manufacturers supported included Brown & Sharpe,
CDI, Fowler, Insize, LMI, Mahr Federal, Mitutoyo, Ono Sokki, Starrett, Sylvac, etc.
The MobileCollect Mobile Modules include the following models.
Digital Mobile Module Supports digital gages (gages with non-RS232
outputs) and most handheld gages with RS-232 output.
The types of RS-232 gages supported included gages
with TTL level outputs, Opto Simplex and Opto Duplex
outputs.
Mini Mobile Module This Mobile Module is less than half the size
(measured on a volume basis) of a Digital Mobile
Module and supports most of the gages supported by
the Digital Mobile Module.
Command Mobile Module This Mobile Module is a version of the Digital Mobile
Module, and has all the features and gage support
found in the Digital Mobile Module. The Command
Mobile Module has the ability to receive wireless read
and sleep commands from a MobileCollect Base.
RS-232 Mobile Module This Mobile Module is used for gages and devices that
provided full RS-232 level signals. Digital gages are
not supported by this Mobile Module.
The enclosures used for the Digital, Command and RS-232 Mobile Modules are all the same.
The enclosure used for the Mini Mobile Module is smaller than the Digital Mobile Module
enclosure.
2.1 Mini & Digital Mobile Modules
The Mini Mobile Module was released on November 18, 2013 and is used to capture
measurements from virtually any handheld digital gage and handheld serial gages. The Mini
Mobile Module supports most of the gages that are supported by the Digital Mobile Module.
This include gages from Brown & Sharpe, CDI, Fowler, Mahr Federal, Mitutoyo, Ono Sokki,
Starrett, Sylvac, etc. Other manufacturers also make gages that have compatible outputs and
these gages can also be used with the Mini Mobile Module.
Differences Between the Mini and Digital Mobile Module
The Mini Mobile Module and the Digital Mobile Module are very similar. The primary differences
between these 2 Mobile Modules are listed below.
§The Mini Mobile Module is less than half the size (measured on a volume basis) of a Digital
Mobile Module.

Mobile Modules 3
Copyright © 2011-2017 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.
MobileCollect Selection Tool
§The Digital Mobile Module automatically detects the type of gage cable connected. The
user must specific (with one of the Setup Programs) the type of gage cable connected to a
Mini Mobile Module. Experience has shown that the type of gage cable connected to a
Mobile Mobile is rarely changed.
§Most of the gages supported by the Digital Mobile Module are also supported by the Mini
Mobile Module. A few of the less frequently used gages are not supported by the Mini
Mobile Module.
§The gage cables used by the Digital Mobile Module cannot be used with the Mini Mobile
Module.
2.2 RS-232 Mobile Module
The RS-232 Mobile Module is used to capture measurements from gages and serial devices that
output full RS-232 level signals. RS-232 output levels typically range from 5 to 8 volts down to
-5 to -8 volts. Special components are required to handle these voltage levels and are included
as part of the RS-232 Mobile Module design.
The gages that use the proximity interface from Sylvac must be used with the RS-232 Mobile
Module. This interface is used on handheld gages such as calipers. Gages that use this
interface are available from Fowler, Starrett, etc.
The RS-232 Mobile Module only supports RS-232 devices. You cannot use gages supported by
the Digital and Mini Mobile Modules (Mitutoyo, CDI, Ono Sokki, etc.) with the RS-232 Mobile
Module. RS-232 gages that use the Opto connector (Fowler, Starrett, Sylvac, etc.) have low
voltage outputs and are used with the Digital and Mini Mobile Module rather than the RS-232
Mobile Module. A few RS-232 gages from Mahr Federal are also used with the Digital and Mini
Mobile Module rather than the RS-232 Mobile Module.
The RS-232 Mobile Module uses the same enclosure that is used for the Digital Mobile Module.
The battery life for an RS-232 Mobile Module will be less than the battery life experienced with a
Digital Mobile Module. The power demands for a device outputting full RS-232 voltage levels is
much high than the power required by a Mitutoyo compatible gage.
2.3 Command Mobile Module
The Command Mobile Module is a special version of the Digital Mobile Module that allows you to
send commands from a Base to the Command Mobile Module. These commands include the
ability to tell the Command Mobile Module to initiate a gage reading, go to sleep, etc. By default,
the command functionality is enabled in the Command Mobile Module. This command
functionality can be disabled by using the MobileCollect Xpress or Extended Setup Programs. If
the command functionality is disabled, the Command Mobile Module will function the same as a
Digital Mobile Module.
Contact MicroRidge to learn more about the Command Mobile Module and to determine if it is
appropriate for your application.
16

Gage Cables 4
Copyright © 2011-2017 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.
MobileCollect Selection Tool
3Gage Cables
A gage cable is required to connect a Mobile Module to a gage. There are 3 different types of
gage cables.
§Cables for Mini Mobile Modules.
§Cables for Digital and Command Mobile Modules. These 2 Mobile Modules use the same
gage cables.
§Cables for RS-232 Mobile Modules.
When you select a gage in the MobileCollect Selection Tool, the Mobile Module required for this
gage will be automatically selected.
3.1 Cable Lengths
The cable lengths displayed in the MobileCollect Selection Tool are the default length used with
each gage model. If you do not specify a cable length at the time of order, the default cable
length will be shipped. The standard cable lengths are as follows:
Length
Typical Usage
3.5"
Standard for calipers
6.5"
Most micrometers & indicators
9"
Available by special request
12"
Available by special request
18"
Available by special request
24"
Available by special request

Gage Cables 5
Copyright © 2011-2017 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.
MobileCollect Selection Tool
3.2 Mobile Module Connectors
The 3 different types of gage cables used by the Mobile Modules can easily be identified by the
connector at the end of the gage cable that connects to the Mobile Module. The connector for
each of the gage cable types is shown below.
Mini Mobile Module These cables use a 2x3 connector.
Digital Mobile Module These cables use a 2x7 connector.
Command Mobile Module This Mobile Module uses the same cable as the Digital
Mobile Module.
RS-232 Mobile Module These cables use a 2x6 connector.

Gage & Price Updates 6
Copyright © 2011-2017 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.
MobileCollect Selection Tool
4Gage & Price Updates
Since supported gages and pricing are subject to change, be sure you have the current version
of the MobileCollect Selection Tool. Check the MobileCollect Selection Tool download page to
verify that you have the latest version. To update the Selection Tool on your PC, you must
download the installation file and then run this file to install the updated MobileCollect Selection
Tool. The MobileCollect Selection tool has been tested on Windows XP and Windows 7.

Selection Tool Operation 7
Copyright © 2011-2017 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.
MobileCollect Selection Tool
5Selection Tool Operation
The MobileCollect Selection Tool has been tested on Windows XP and Windows 7. There is an
acceptable minimum screen resolution and font size required by the program. If the main
program window does not fit on your screen, try reducing the default screen font size. If reducing
the font size does not fix the problem, you will need to use a monitor with a higher resolution.
The minimum resolutions that have been tested with the program are 1280 x 800 and 1366 x
768.
The MobileCollect Selection Tool can be installed on multiple computers as required to support
your sales and quoting efforts. The operation of the Selection Tool is very straight forward.
After you install the program, work with it for a few minutes and you should quickly become
proficient with the operation of the Selection Tool.
5.1 Selection Tool Tabs
The MobileCollect Selection Tool uses 4 tabs to access the features of the program. Start with
the first tab (Cables & Mobile Modules), select the gages you will be using and then proceed to
the next tab. The last tab (Summary) will show the results of all of the selected items.