Microridge Gageway pro series User manual

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Created: Monday, November 16, 2020 at 11:06 AM in Sunriver, Oregon.

GageWay Pro Interfaces

This User's Guide has been formatted for double-sided printing.

IContents

GageWay Pro Interfaces

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 1

...................................................................................................................................Introduction

Chapter 2 5

...................................................................................................................................GageWay Pro Interfaces

...................................................................................................................................GageWay Pro2 5

...................................................................................................................................GageWay Pro4 6

...................................................................................................................................GageWay Pro8 7

...................................................................................................................................Acquiring Gage Readings 7

...................................................................................................................................Connecting to a Computer 9

...................................................................................................................................Back Panel Buttons 11

...................................................................................................................................Front Panel LEDs 11

...................................................................................................................................AutoBaud Detect 12

...................................................................................................................................Configuring the GageWay Pro 14

...................................................................................................................................Chaining Interfaces 14

...................................................................................................................................Testing Your Serial Device 16

...................................................................................................................................Firmware Updates 16

Chapter 3 19

...................................................................................................................................Setup Program

...................................................................................................................................Keyboards 20

...................................................................................................................................Keyboard Wedge Transfer Rate 21

...................................................................................................................................Entering Special Characters 21

...................................................................................................................................Program Tabs 22

.......................................................................................................................Home Tab 23

.......................................................................................................................Pro2, Pro4 & Pro8 Tabs 24

...................................................................................................................................Setup Dialogs 25

.......................................................................................................................RS-232 Channel Parameters 25

.......................................................................................................................Custom Measurement Format 27

.......................................................................................................................Custom Read Switch Sequence 29

.......................................................................................................................Send Commands to Host 32

...................................................................................................................................Utilities Menu 33

.......................................................................................................................Available Serial Ports 33

.......................................................................................................................Default File Folder 35

Chapter 4 37

...................................................................................................................................ComTestSerial

Chapter 5 39

...................................................................................................................................Computer Commands

II Contents GageWay Pro Interfaces

Chapter 6 43

...................................................................................................................................Accessories

Chapter 7 45

...................................................................................................................................Warranty Information

Chapter 8 47

...................................................................................................................................Contact MicroRidge

Introduction 1

GageWay Pro Interfaces

1 Introduction

GageWay Pro4 Front Panel

GageWay Pro4 Back Panel

The GageWay Pro interfaces are the most advanced and feature rich gage interfaces available

today. The current GageWay Pro models consist of the following:

GageWay Pro2, 2-Port interface

GageWay Pro4, 4-Port interface

GageWay Pro8, 8-Port interface

The GageWay Pro interfaces replace the GageWay Series (GageWay3 and GageWay5) and

GageWay Mx (Mx4 and Mx8) interfaces previously available from MicroRidge Systems. The

GageWay Pro computer commands are, in most cases, identical to the commands used by the

previous GageWay interfaces. If you need to configure a GageWay Pro, this can be done via

the easy-to-use Windows based GageWay Pro Setup Program .

Key Features

The key features of the GageWay Pro interfaces are as follows:

All front panel input ports support Mitutoyo (also gages with Mitutoyo compatible output),

Federal Maxum, Ono Sokki, INSIZE indicators and RS-232 serial devices.

RS-232 devices are connected via a low cost Level Converter cable (P/N: GW-LC) and

your gage cable.

The AutoBaud feature can automatically determine the RS-232 baud rate and

communication parameters for any of the front panel input ports.

GageWay Pro Interfaces2 Introduction

GageWay Pro4 and Pro8 interfaces can be chained to increase the available number of

channels.

USB Keyboard Wedge and USB Serial Ports are built into the GageWay Pro interfaces.

No driver installation required for the keyboard wedge function (driver installation required

for the USB serial port).

adapter).

Supports baud rates from 1200 to 57.6K

Includes 6' USB cable.

Get a gage reading by pressing a foot switch (or hand switch), a computer command or the

read button on the gage cable.

Configure via an easy-to-use Windows based Setup Program. You do not have to open

the interface to configure it.

To maximize the measurement collection speed, each gage channel has a dedicated

processor and there is a communications processor to manage the communications with

the gage channel and the host computer. For example, the Pro8 interface contains 8 gage

processors and 1 communications processor for a total of 9 processors.

High speed continuous read operation. Test run with 8 Mitutoyo gages in a continuous

read mode for 60 seconds gave the following results:

oPrevious Mx8 interface captured 984 measurement in 60 seconds.

oCurrent Pro8 interface captured 5,230 measurements in 60 seconds. The total

number of readings was actually limited by how many times/second the gage could

send a measurement.

Communications Test Program (ComTestSerial ) included to assist you in understanding

what is actually being sent from your gages and the GageWay Pro interface.

Firmware updates available at no charge from the MicroRidge web site.

User’s Guide Organization

This User’s Guide covers the GageWay Pro operation and setup program. This document has

been designed for double-sided printing on a color printer. If you print this document single

sided, there will be several blank pages included in the printout.

If you are viewing the PDF version of this User's Guide, you will see page numbers to the right of

the links within the PDF document. For example the number to the right of the Contact

MicroRidge Systems link indicates the actual page number this link is directed to.

Introduction 3

GageWay Pro Interfaces

The GageWay Pro Interfaces are in compliance with the European Union Directive on the

restricted use of certain hazardous substances (RoHS/RoHS2 Directive). For more information

review the RoHS Declaration of Compliance document on the MicroRidge web.

Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December

2006 is commonly referred to as REACH. REACH stands for the Regulation for Registration,

Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals. The REACH Regulation entered into

force on 1st June 2007 to streamline and improve the former legislative framework for chemicals

of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries.

REACH compliance is only mandatory on products produced in or shipped into the European

Union (EU) and member countries. However, since many other jurisdictions have similar or

pending legislation and manufacturers’ products may eventually find their way into the EU,

REACH compliance is having a global effect.

All current MicroRidge produced products are in compliance with REACH and do not contain any

of the currently listed SVHC (substance of very high concern) in concentrations of 0.1% or

above. For more information review the REACH Declaration of Compliance document on the

MicroRidge web.

GageWay Pro Interfaces 5

GageWay Pro Interfaces

2 GageWay Pro Interfaces

The GageWay Pro interfaces are currently available in 3 different models. The GageWay Pro2,

GageWay Pro4 and GageWay Pro8. The only difference between the Pro4 and Pro8 is the

number of input ports. The Pro2 does not contain the DB9 Output Serial Port on the back of the

interface. The capabilities of the front panel inputs are the same on the Pro2, Pro4 and Pro8

interfaces.

2.1 GageWay Pro2

GageWay Pro2 Front Panel

GageWay Pro2 Back Panel

The GageWay Pro2 interface supports 2 gage inputs on the front panel. The outputs for the

Pro2 can be sent to the USB Serial Port or the USB Keyboard Wedge Port. Power to the

interface is supplied via the USB Keyboard Wedge port or the USB Serial Port. The

Multifunction Serial Port can be used to connect an additional serial device to the interface.

GageWay Pro Interfaces6 GageWay Pro Interfaces

2.2 GageWay Pro4

GageWay Pro4 Front Panel

GageWay Pro4 Back Panel

The GageWay Pro4 interface is identical to the GageWay Pro2 with the following additional

features:

Number of front panel input ports = 4.

Back panel contains a DB9 Output Serial Port that allows for sending data to a device that

does not support USB.

The Multifunction Serial Port can be used to connect an additional serial device to the

interface and to chain Pro4 and Pro8 interfaces.

GageWay Pro Interfaces 7

GageWay Pro Interfaces

2.3 GageWay Pro8

GageWay Pro8 Front Panel

GageWay Pro8 Back Panel

The GageWay Pro8 interface is identical to the GageWay Pro4 with the following additional

features:

Number of front panel input ports = 8.

2.4 Acquiring Gage Readings

It is important to understand how to initiate a gage reading and what type of reading can be

obtained from the various input ports. To configure some of the gage read options requires the

use of the GageWay Pro Setup Program .

How to Initiate Gage Readings

Gage readings can be initiated by any of the following methods:

Press a foot or hand switch (external read switch).

Press the read button on the gage cable.

Send a command from the host computer.

GageWay Pro Interfaces8 GageWay Pro Interfaces

If your gage is a digital indicator, you typically would use a computer command or an external

read switch to initiate the reading. If you press the read button on an indicator gage cable, you

will normally cause the indicator reading to change.

Reading Types

There are 3 types of readings that can be obtained from a GageWay Pro interface.

Single reading from a gage.

Continuous readings from a gage. You can specify the number of readings to be obtained or

tell the gage when to start and stop taking readings.

TIR readings from a gage. You can specify the number of readings to be obtained or tell the

gage when to start and stop taking readings. The data sent from a TIR reading consists of

the following 4 fields. The default field separator is a comma.

oNumber of readings

oMinimum gage reading

oMaximum gage reading

oRange

Readings from Gages Connected to the Front Panel Connectors

All of the reading types shown above can be obtained from gages connected to the front panel

connectors. If you are using an external read switch to get readings from more than one

channel, you will need to use the Setup Program to configure the read switch. If you have a

serial device connected via a Level Converter cable, you will have to use the Setup Program to

identify the method used to request a reading from your serial device.

Readings from Gages Connected to a Multifunction Serial Port

The only reading type available from the Multifunction Serial Port is a single reading from a

gage. If you try to do continuous reads or TIR, the read commands will be ignored. If you use an

external read switch or a computer command to get a reading from a gage connected to the

Multifunction Serial Port, you will have to use the Setup Program to identify the method used to

request a reading from your serial device.

Readings from Chained Interfaces

GageWay Pro4 and Pro8 interfaces can be chained by connecting a serial cable between the

Multifunction Serial Port on an interface to the Output Serial Port on the next interface. When

chaining interfaces, you must use the GageWay Pro Setup Program to configure the Master

interface in the chain. Once the interfaces are chained, most of the read commands and

features that can be used with a single interface can be used with the chained interfaces. Refer

to the Chaining Interfaces section for more detail.

GageWay Pro Interfaces 9

GageWay Pro Interfaces

2.5 Connecting to a Computer

Typically a GageWay Pro interface is connected to a PC via a USB cable. This USB connection

supplies power to the interface and data transfer to the PC. If you are connecting the GageWay

Pro interface to something other than a PC, you may need to use the Output Serial Port (DB9-F)

on the back of the interface. The Pro2 does not contain a DB9 Output Serial Port and can only

be connected to a computer via a USB port.

USB Serial Port

Most people will connect the interface to a computer via this port. If you are using the Setup

Program to configure a GageWay Pro, you must connect the GageWay Pro to your PC via this

port. Before this port can be accessed by your computer, you must install the USB Serial Port

driver on your computer. The driver is located on the GageWay Pro CD that came with your

interface. This driver is developed by FTDI and supports the FTDI USB chip used in the

GageWay Pro. You can also obtain a copy of this driver from the following web sites.

MicroRidge web site at www.microridge.com/downloads.htm. The driver on the MicroRidge

web site is only for use with Windows.

FTDI web site at www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm. The Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers on

the FTDI site reflect the currently supported VCP drivers.

When the USB cable is connected between your PC and the USB Serial Port, the GageWay Pro

interface will detect that the USB cable is connected to the USB Serial Port. The GageWay Pro

interface will communicate via the USB Serial Port and the Output Serial Port. What is sent out

the USB Serial Port will also be sent out the Output Serial Port.

When the interface is connected via this port you can send commands to the interface and

receive data from the interface.

Keyboard Wedge

If you want to use the keyboard wedge feature of the interface, connect the USB cable between

your PC and the USB Keyboard Wedge port. You do not need to install any drivers to use the

keyboard wedge feature. When the interface is connected via the USB Keyboard Wedge port,

the GageWay Pro interface will look like a USB keyboard to your PC.

You cannot use this keyboard connection with the GageWay Pro setup program. When the

interface is connected via this port you cannot send commands to the interface; however, you

can receive keyboard data from the interface.

Output Serial Port (DB9-F)

The output sent to this serial port is the same that is sent to the USB Serial Port. This Output

Serial Port is only available on the Pro4 and Pro8 interfaces. This port would typically only be

used when connecting the interface to a device that did not have a USB port or the FTDI USB

drivers did not support the device. An example of when you might need this connection is when

sending data to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) or a printer.

GageWay Pro Interfaces10 GageWay Pro Interfaces

If you are using this port as your communications port, you must use a USB AC adapter and a

USB cable to power the GageWay Pro interface. A USB AC adapter is not included with the

standard interface purchase. A USB AC adapter along with connecting cables can be purchased

from MicroRidge. The part number for this adapter and cables for North America is ADT-USB-

NA-KIT. Contact MicroRidge for foreign installations.

GageWay Pro Interfaces 11

GageWay Pro Interfaces

2.6 Back Panel Buttons

There are 2 buttons accessible on the back panel. When facing the back panel the button on

the left side is the Reset button and the button on the right is the Default button.

Reset Button

Pressing and releasing the reset button will restart the GageWay Pro interface. None of the

parameters stored in the non-volatile memory (EEPROM) will be changed by pressing the Reset

button.

Default Button

This button performs several different functions based on what is connected to the interface,

how long the button is pressed and when the button is pressed. The functions supported by this

button can be disabled on the Home Tab in the Setup Program.

The following functions are supported by this button:

AutoBaud Automatic baud rate and communication parameters detection. This

feature will only be enabled if you have 1 or more Level Converter cables

connected to the interface. To activate this feature, press and hold the

Default button for 5 seconds. Refer to the AutoBaud Detect section for

more details.

Reset Parameters To reset the parameters in the GageWay Pro to the factory defaults,

press and hold the Default and then press and release the Reset button.

Continue pressing the Default until the gage channel LEDs start flashing

between red and green. This flashing will start about 10 seconds after

you release the Reset button. Once the LEDs start flashing, release the

Default button.

Converter cable is connected) will tell the interface to send the copyright

information out the serial or keyboard wedge port. The output port is

based on what port is connected to the USB cable. This feature is useful

to verify that the GageWay Pro interface is properly sending data.

2.7 Front Panel LEDs

Each front panel input has a red and green LED to the left of the connector. The on/off state

and flashes are used to let the user know what the GageWay Pro is doing and the state of data

received.

Startup

When the GageWay Pro is restarted both the red and green LEDs will be turned on. Once the

communications processor has completed its initialization, each gage processor will be told to

check for a connected device. If a device is found, the green LED will flash several times. If a

device is not found, the red LED will flash several times.

GageWay Pro Interfaces12 GageWay Pro Interfaces

Digital Gage Read

When a request is made to get a measurement from a gage, the green LED will be turned on. If

a reading is obtained, the green LED is turned off after a preset period of time. If the read

attempt fails, the green LED is turned off and the red LED flashes several times.

RS-232 Device Read

When a channel is receiving RS-232 data, the green LED will be turned on when you receive

data from your serial device. If the serial device stops sending data before an end-of packet

condition is detected, the green LED will turn off and the red LED will be turned on. If an end-of

packet condition is detected after the red LED is turned on, the packet will be processed and the

LEDs will be turned off. The red LED is turned on after a data reception gap of 250 msec (.250

seconds).

Using <Lc and <Mc Commands

The computer commands <Lc and <Mc allow you to turn on and off LEDs for specific

channels. These commands must be sent by a PC application and may be useful in telling an

operator what gage to use for the next measurement.

2.8 AutoBaud Detect

AutoBaud (automatic baud rate and communication parameter detection) is built into the front

panel gage channels. AutoBaud is only used when you are connecting a serial device to the

GageWay Pro via a Level Converter cable. The back panel Multifunction Serial Port does not

support AutoBaud. In order to use the AutoBaud feature, you must be able to initiate a reading

from your serial device by pressing a print or send button on the serial device.

AutoBaud is not needed for digital gages such as Mitutoyo calipers and indicators, INSIZE

indicators, Federal Maxum indicators and Ono Sokki indicators. Gages from companies such as

Fowler, Starrett and Sylvac that use the Opto or Proximity interface and are connected to the

GageWay Pro via a Level Converter cable can use the AutoBaud feature.

Supported Baud Rates

The following baud rates can be used with and detected by a GageWay Pro interface. If none of

these baud rates match the setting of your serial device, you must change the baud rate setting

for your serial device.

1200

2400

4800

9600

14.4K

19.2K

GageWay Pro Interfaces 13

GageWay Pro Interfaces

38.4K

57.6K

Supported Communication Parameters

The following communication parameters are supported by the GageWay Pro.

N-8-1

N-8-2

E-8-1

E-8-2

O-8-1

O-8-2

N-7-1

N-7-2

E-7-1

E-7-2

O-7-1

O-7-2

Input Requirements

In order for AutoBaud to detect the baud and communication parameters, at least 5 characters

must be received from the serial device while the AutoBaud detection process is active. The

data received from the serial device should be human readable characters that are found on a

standard US keyboard. If the data packet contains non-keyboard control characters (less than

ASCII 32) or extended characters (greater than ASCII 126), the AutoBaud process may not be

able to detect the baud rate and/or communication parameters.

Starting the AutoBaud Process

Before starting the AutoBaud process, be sure your serial device is connected via a Level

Converter cable and your gage cable to the GageWay Pro. You should also verify that the serial

device is turned on and ready to send a data string.

To start the AutoBaud process, press and hold the Default button on the GageWay Pro back

panel. After about 5 seconds, the red and green LEDs will turn on for the channels where Level

Converter cables were detected. At this point you have 10 seconds to send a data packet to the

GageWay Pro. When the AutoBaud detection process has finished, the LEDs will do one of the

following:

LEDs turn off No data was received. The baud rate and communication parameters

remain unchanged.

GageWay Pro Interfaces14 GageWay Pro Interfaces

Green LED flashes Baud rate and communication parameters detected. The detected

values were saved in non-volatile memory.

Red LED flashes Could not determine baud rate and/or communication parameters. The

baud rate and communication parameters remain unchanged.

Since you only have 10 seconds to do an AutoBaud detection process, if you have multiple Level

Converter cables, you may need to repeat the above process for the other Level Converter

cables.

What Did AutoBaud Find?

If you want to see what the serial port parameters were set to after the AutoBaud process is

complete, you can run ComTestSerial and send the <T command. The <T command

provides 1 line of information about each channel. A sample of one of these lines is shown

below.

Chan 2 (B) = Level Converter Cable @ 1200-N-7-1 (Auto Detect)

2.9 Configuring the GageWay Pro

If you need to configure a GageWay Pro interface you will need to use the GageWay Pro Setup

Program . If you are controlling the GageWay Pro via commands from a computer or just

taking single gage measurements, you may not need to use the setup program. Remember the

GageWay Pro will automatically determine the type of gage connected to a front panel input and

you can have the GageWay Pro automatically determine the baud rate and communication

parameters for serial devices.

2.10 Chaining Interfaces

GageWay Pro4 and Pro8 interfaces can be chained to increase the number of channels

available in an interface setup. The first interface in a chain is called the Master. The other

interfaces in the chain are called Slaves. An interface chain consists of a single Master and up

to 8 Slaves. Most of the commands available for use with a stand-alone interface can also be

used with an interface chain. There are a few additional commands that can only be used with

an interface chain. Refer to the Computer Commands section for more information about the

commands.

Chaining Features

The Master interface is configured by the Setup Program and contains all of the setup

information for the Slaves.

You can have up to 8 Slaves in a chain.

The starting channel for the Master interface is always 1.

A standard straight through DB9 serial cable is used to connect the Multifunction Serial Port

on one interface to the Output Serial Port on the next interface.

Each interface in the chain must be powered via the USB port. Power kits with

connecting cables are available from MicroRidge for powering the Slaves.

37 39

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