Measurement Collection Technology
for Today & Tomorrow!
|
|
Measurement Collection Technology |
Understanding Gage & RS-232 Cables
Main Store
Accessories Store
Cables Store
USB Store
MicroRidge provides a full range of cables and accessories to support its gage interface and data acquisition solutions. Gage and RS-232 cables are often very confusing to many users. There are often multiple ways to connect a gage or serial device to an interface or a computer. The MicroRidge approach is to keep selection of the proper gage and RS-232 cables as simple and cost effective as possible while still offering a full range of solutions. If you require a cable that is not listed below, please contact us.
Cables for Digital
Gages & RS-232 Devices
Gage and RS-232 interface cables can be categorized as shown below. MicroRidge
supplies the complete range of gage cables for Mitutoyo, Federal, Ono Sokki, CDI,
Starrett, Fowler, etc. Many RS-232 devices are equipped with a 9-pin serial
port and do not require any special interface cables. The first step in
determining the cable you need is to understand the type of gage or instrument you are trying
to connect.
|
|
Cables for Digital Gages These gages consist of calipers, micrometers, digital indicators, etc., and are available from companies such as Mitutoyo, Federal, Ono Sokki, CDI, Fowler, Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, etc. These gages do not have an RS-232 output and it is not uncommon for a gage from one manufacturer to be private labeled by another company. For example, the CDI digital indicator is also sold under the Starrett name. There are 4 basic output formats used for digital gages. These output formats are typically referred to as Mitutoyo, Federal, CDI and Ono Sokki. It is not uncommon for a gage manufacturer to offer digital gages that have several different gage output formats. Some gages, such as the CDI digital indicators, support multiple gage output formats. Cables for the Mitutoyo brand of gages are manufactured by Mitutoyo and are available from many Mitutoyo dealers and from MicroRidge Systems. Cables for the other digital gages must be purchased from MicroRidge if these gages are being used with the MicroRidge line of GageWay interfaces. |
|
|
|
Cables for RS-232 Gages that
Use Custom Cables from the Gage Manufacturer Gages from manufacturers such as Fowler/Sylvac, Starrett, Mahr/Federal, etc. normally require cables produced by the gage manufacturer. These cables typically have custom molded connectors on the gage end and a 9-pin D-sub female connector on the other end. Many Starrett gages generate an RS-232-type output signal; however, the voltage and logic levels of these signals (referred to as TTL level signals) are inverted from the typical RS-232 devices. The basic cables from Starrett have a 6-pin connector and cannot be connected to standard RS-232 serial ports without additional signal conditioning or adapters. These Starrett 6-pin cables can be connected to any GageWay3 or GageWay5 interface with a $15 adapter. Checkout the Starrett cables in the Cables Store for more details. |
|
|
|
Cables for RS-232
Gages & Devices that Use Standard DB9 Extension Cables The standard serial port on a PC has a 9-pin D-sub male connector. Most serial devices, such as scales, barcode readers, torques testers, etc., use a 9-pin female D-sub connector for their RS-232 output. These devices can use a standard straight through serial extension cable and can be plugged directly into the MicroRidge GageWay interfaces or into a desktop PC. These cables are available from many sources and are very economical. The MicroRidge GageWay interfaces all use this type of cable for connecting to a PC. |
|
|
|
Cables for RS-232
Gages & Devices that Require Custom Cables Some device manufacturers provide non-standard connections for their serial output. The standard PC serial port uses a 9-pin D-sub male connector. D-sub connectors also come in 15, 25, 37 and 50 pin versions. Other types of commercially available connectors may also be used instead of the common D-sub connectors. Your choices for connecting these devices to a MicroRidge interface or a PC are basically the following:
Step 3 sounds like the best and easiest method. If the device manufacturer actually has the RS-232 cable available, you should purchase it from the manufacturer. Customers has encountered instances when the serial device manufacturer shows a part number for the desired cable; however, nobody seems to have these cables available. If you have trouble getting the proper cable for you serial device, you can contact MicroRidge about building a cable for you. MicroRidge often builds these custom cables for customers. To insure that the cable is built properly, it is necessary for the customer to supply us information from their equipment manual about the pin outs. We then produce a cable drawing to be sure that we have the right connectors and the proper style (male or female) connectors are specified. A Custom Cable worksheet drawing is available for download. |
|
Copyright © 2008 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Revised July 13, 2008
)
)
)
)