Keyboard Wedges Overview

Hardware & Software Keyboard Wedges

MicroRidge WedgeLink				MicroRidge WedgeLink
Hardware Keyboard Wedges				Software Keyboard Wedges
WedgeLink SM		WedgeLink HW		WedgeLink Lite		WedgeLink Standard

What is a Keyboard Wedge?
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 or network port.  A keyboard wedge is a software program that reads data from a serial port or network or a hardware device that reads data from a serial port or Mitutoyo gage and then passes this data to a PC application in such a manner that the application thinks the data is entered via the keyboard.  The more common applications that are used with keyboard wedges are Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Minitab and other database types of applications.

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, a network connection, or a Mitutoyo gage.  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.

About Software Keyboard Wedges
The advantage of a software wedge is that it provides much more flexibility in the formatting of data for presentation to the application and control of the target where the data is sent.  In addition to transferring the information to the application, the WedgeLink software keyboard wedge can also simultaneously send the information to a disk file.  The disadvantage of a software wedge is that your software settings can be changed by your users.

About Hardware Keyboard Wedges
It is not uncommon in a production type environment that a company will insist upon using a hardware wedge rather than a software wedge.  An advantage of a hardware wedge is that it is simpler to use because it is more like a plug 'n play device.  In most cases, just plug it in and you are ready to go.

 Copyright © 2010 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Revised July 28, 2010