Designed & Made in the USA Since 1983
The WedgeLink SP is a hardware keyboard wedge that converts RS-232 serial data from gages, scales, hardness testers, and other instruments directly into keystrokes — no software, no drivers, no configuration. Plug into USB, connect your RS-232 device, and data flows into any application that accepts keyboard input: Excel, Minitab, cloud-based SPC programs, custom inspection databases, and more.
Available in 4 models. Baud rate and communication parameters are fixed per unit — order to match your RS-232 device.
Interface – RS-232 Serial — DB9 Male (standard PC serial port pinout)
USB Connection – Built-in 6″ USB cable (bus-powered; presents as USB HID keyboard to host)
Baud Rate – Fixed per model — 4 models available (see below)
Keystroke Rate – ~72 characters/sec (default); configurable delay 0–90 ms between characters in 10 ms increments
Supported Characters – ESC, Tab, Backspace, Carriage Return, ASCII 32–126
Setup Required – None — plug and play
Software Required – None — USB HID class; no drivers on Windows, macOS, or Linux
Power Source – USB (bus-powered via built-in 6″ USB cable)
Origin – Designed & Made in the USA
Available Models:
WLNK-SP-4800-E-7-S | Baud Rate = 4800 | Parity = Even | Data Bits = 7 | Stop Bits = 1
WLNK-SP-9600-E-7-1 | Baud Rate = 9600 | Parity = Even | Data Bits = 7 | Stop Bits = 1
WLNK-SP-9600-N-8-1 | Baud Rate = 9600 | Parity = None | Data Bits = 8 | Stop Bits = 1
WLNK-SP-19.2K-N-8-1 | Baud Rate = 19,200 | Parity = None | Data Bits = 8 | Stop Bits = 1
The WedgeLink SP baud rate and communication parameters are fixed at time of manufacture. Order to match the specifications of your RS-232 device. If you are unsure of your device’s communication parameters, check the serial interface section of your instrument’s user manual or contact MicroRidge.
$180.00
A hardware keyboard wedge translates RS-232 serial output from instruments — scales, hardness testers, bar code scanners, DROs, and more — into USB keystrokes that any PC application can receive. The host computer sees the WedgeLink SP as a standard USB keyboard. No COM port assignment, no software installation, no device drivers.
When the instrument outputs a reading, the WedgeLink SP converts it to keystrokes and delivers it to the active application — landing in the next Excel cell, an SPC data entry field, or a web-based form exactly as if an operator typed it.
The WedgeLink SP requires no setup procedure:
No COM port to assign. No IT involvement required. The WedgeLink SP uses the USB Human Interface Device (HID) class and is recognized natively by Windows, macOS, and Linux without drivers.
If the gage cable connected to the WedgeLink SP fails, only the gage cable needs to be replaced — not the wedge. The standard DB9 Male port accepts any compatible RS-232 cable.
The WedgeLink SP outputs the following from the RS-232 data stream:
If your device outputs a packet with characters that need to be stripped, extracted, or replaced before reaching your application, see the WedgeLink AT below.
The WedgeLink SP outputs at approximately 72 characters per second by default — the right rate for the vast majority of applications. If your target application drops characters — a symptom of the software’s input buffer being unable to keep pace with the incoming keystroke stream — the inter-character delay can be increased from 0 to 90 ms in 10 ms increments to slow output to a rate the application can reliably process.
To adjust, enable Info Mode by sending {Esc}{Esc}{Esc}<RS via a ComTestSerial, then send <Dx where x is the delay value in 10 ms increments (1 = 10 ms, 2 = 20 ms, up to 9 = 90 ms). Contact MicroRidge support if you need assistance configuring the keystroke rate for your application.
Both are hardware keyboard wedges — no software required for operation. The key distinction is configurability:
WedgeLink SP | WedgeLink AT | |
|---|---|---|
Baud Rate | Fixed per unit (order to match device) | Auto-detect or user-selectable (600–57,600) |
Data Parsing | Not available | Full parsing — strip, extract, replace, prefix/suffix, match strings |
Read Switch | Not available | Built-in read button + optional foot/hand switch |
Setup Software | None required | Windows setup program (one-time configuration) |
LED Status | Not available | Bi-color red/green LED |
Price | $180 | $275 |
Best For | Clean RS-232 output, known fixed baud rate, simplest deployment | Complex output; parsing required; unknown or variable baud rate |
Choose the WedgeLink SP when your RS-232 device outputs a clean, consistently formatted packet at a known fixed baud rate and you need the simplest possible deployment. Choose the WedgeLink AT when the output packet requires modification, the baud rate is unknown, or you need a built-in read switch for operator-triggered data collection.
MicroRidge also offers WedgeLink software keyboard wedges (Lite and Standard editions). The right choice depends on your environment:
WedgeLink SP (Hardware) | WedgeLink Lite / Standard (Software) | |
|---|---|---|
Software Required | None — USB HID, driverless | Yes — Windows application required |
COM Port Required | No | Yes — physical or virtual COM port |
Setup | Plug and play | Configuration required |
Data Parsing | Not available | Available in Standard edition |
Best For | Simple deployments; no IT access; tablet or locked-down PCs | Parsing complex packets; date/time stamping; dual-port input |
If the data coming from your RS-232 device is exactly what you need to send to the target application — with no modification — the WedgeLink SP is the faster and simpler deployment path. If you need to extract a numeric field from a complex output string, strip units, or apply math functions, WedgeLink Standard is the correct tool.
→ Hardware vs. Software Keyboard Wedge — Which Is Right for You?
Q: Does the WedgeLink SP require software or drivers?
— No. The WedgeLink SP presents to the host computer as a USB HID keyboard. Windows, macOS, and Linux recognize it natively — no driver installation or software configuration required.
Q: How do I know which baud rate model to order?
— Check the serial interface or data output specifications in your RS-232 device’s user manual. The baud rate is listed there. If you’re unsure, contact MicroRidge — we can help identify the correct model for your instrument.
Q: Can I use the WedgeLink SP with a tablet or locked-down PC?
— Yes. Because the WedgeLink SP uses USB HID class, it works on any USB host that accepts keyboard input — including Windows tablets and locked-down enterprise PCs where software installation is restricted.
Q: What’s the difference between the WedgeLink SP and WedgeLink AT?
— Both are plug-and-play hardware keyboard wedges. The WedgeLink SP is a fixed-configuration unit — baud rate is set at the factory, no data parsing is available. The WedgeLink AT adds auto baud rate detection, a Windows setup program, full data parsing, a built-in read button, and field-upgradable firmware. Choose the SP for clean RS-232 output at a known baud rate; choose the AT when configuration flexibility or data manipulation is required.
Q: What does the configurable keystroke rate do?
— It controls the delay between individual characters sent from the WedgeLink SP to the host PC. By default, characters are sent at full speed. If your target application drops characters, you can increase the inter-character delay from 10 ms to 90 ms in 10 ms increments. This is especially relevant for legacy SPC software, virtual environments, and custom applications with slow input handling.
Q: Can the WedgeLink SP parse or modify the data packet before sending it to my PC?
— No. The WedgeLink SP transmits the packet as-is, within the supported character set. If you need to strip characters, extract a numeric field, or add a prefix or suffix, the WedgeLink AT or WedgeLink Standard software wedge are the correct products.
Q: What happens if my gage cable fails?
— Only the gage cable needs to be replaced, not the wedge. The WedgeLink SP uses a standard DB9 Male port, so replacement cables are available from MicroRidge or most electronics distributors.
Need data parsing or auto baud detection?
— WedgeLink AT – WLNK-AT | $275.00 | The AT adds full packet parsing, auto baud detection (600–57,600), a built-in read button, and field-upgradable firmware.
Need a software wedge?
— WedgeLink Lite / Standard | Software keyboard wedge for Windows with COM port access. Standard edition includes dual-port input, data parsing, and date/time stamping.
RS-232 Gage Cables
— Browse RS-232 Gage Cables | Compatible OEM RS-232 interface cables for Olympus, Mahr, Mitutoyo, and other manufacturers. Connects directly to the WedgeLink SP DB9 input.
DB9 Accessories
WLNK-SP Specs | |
|---|---|
Interface | RS-232 Serial — DB9 Male (standard PC serial port pinout) |
USB Connection | Built-in 6″ USB cable (bus-powered; presents as USB HID keyboard to host) |
Baud Rate | Fixed per model — 4 models available (see below) |
Keystroke Rate | ~72 characters/sec (default); configurable delay 0–90 ms between characters in 10 ms increments |
Supported Characters | ESC, Tab, Backspace, Carriage Return, ASCII 32–126 |
Setup Required | None — plug and play |
Software Required | None — USB HID class; no drivers on Windows, macOS, or Linux |
Power Source | USB (bus-powered via built-in 6″ USB cable) |
Origin | Designed & Made in the USA |
Available Models | WLNK-SP-4800-E-7-S | Baud Rate = 4800 | Parity = Even | Data Bits = 7 | Stop Bits = 1 WLNK-SP-9600-E-7-1 | Baud Rate = 9600 | Parity = Even | Data Bits = 7 | Stop Bits = 1 WLNK-SP-9600-N-8-1 | Baud Rate = 9600 | Parity = None | Data Bits = 8 | Stop Bits = 1 WLNK-SP-19.2K-N-8-1 | Baud Rate = 19,200 | Parity = None | Data Bits = 8 | Stop Bits = 1 |
