Designed & Made in the USA Since 1983
The GageWay KW is a hardware USB keyboard wedge that sends digital gage measurements directly into any Windows application — Excel, Access, SPC software, or any program that accepts keyboard input. It operates as a standard HID (human interface device), the same device class as a USB keyboard or mouse, so no driver installation or COM port configuration is required. Plug it in, connect your gage, and data flows on the first button press.
GageWay KW supports single and continuous read modes and automatically detects the connected gage type at power-up. Compatible with Digimatic compatible gages, or gages with MicroRidge-designed cables that convert the gage’s output to the Digimatic format — including Mitutoyo, Mahr Federal , CDI, and others.
Interface Type – USB HID keyboard wedge — no driver required
Interface Cable Length – 6 ft. USB cable
Gage Connection – Mitutoyo Digimatic 10-pin (Type D Male)
Read Switch Port – 2.5 mm subminiature phone jack
Read Modes – Single, continuous (operator switchable)
Gage Detection – Automatic
Compatible Gages – Mitutoyo, Mahr Federal, CDI, Kroeplin, others
Origin – Designed & Made in the USA
$180.00
A keyboard wedge is a hardware interface that sits between your digital gage and your PC. When you press the read button, the wedge captures the measurement from the gage and delivers it directly into the active field in your application — exactly as if you had typed the value by hand and pressed Enter.
The GageWay KW uses the USB HID device class to accomplish this. Your operating system treats it as a standard keyboard. No custom drivers, no COM port setup, no software installation. Any application that accepts keyboard input — Excel, Minitab, Access, browser-based SPC platforms, ERP data entry screens — receives gage data from the GageWay KW the moment you press the read button.
This approach eliminates the most consequential source of error in manual inspection workflows: transcription. Misread digits, transposed numbers, and missed decimal points are common failure modes in hand-entry processes and are a documented nonconformance source in ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 measurement data systems. The GageWay KW closes that gap at the point of measurement.
In most deployments, GageWay KW requires zero configuration. Connect the gage cable, plug the GageWay KW into a USB port, and the unit automatically detects the gage type within seconds. The LED blinks four times to confirm gage detection is complete and the unit is ready to use.
If no gage is detected at power-up, GageWay KW retains its last configured gage type. The factory default is Mitutoyo-compatible output — the most common format across the supported gage families.
Focus management is the only operational requirement: because GageWay KW sends data exactly like a keyboard, the target cell or field in your application must have focus before pressing the read button. Data goes wherever the cursor is active.
GageWay KW supports any gage with a standard Digimatic compatible output — regardless of manufacturer. Mitutoyo gages use this output natively, but many other manufacturers produce gages with a compatible output that will work with GageWay KW without any special cables. Standard cables are available from the gage manufacturer, any Mitutoyo dealer, or MicroRidge.
Some gages that do not natively output a compatible signal are also supported via MicroRidge-designed cables that convert the gage’s output to a compatible format. Contact MicroRidge to confirm compatibility for your specific gage.
The GageWay KW LED provides clear device state and read event feedback without requiring any software:
LED Behavior | Meaning |
|---|---|
On for ~1/4 second | Gage reading successfully captured and sent |
3 blinks | Gage read failed — no valid data received |
On at plug-in, then 4 blinks | Gage detection complete — unit ready |
The 3-blink error condition is relevant for gage R&R and MSA workflows where confirmed data capture — not assumed capture — is a requirement for measurement integrity. Failed reads are unambiguous and do not pass bad data to the application.
GageWay KW ships in single read mode: one press of the read switch sends one measurement. For applications requiring a continuous data stream — in-process monitoring, automated fixture reading, go/no-go cycling — continuous read mode sends measurements at the gage’s native output rate for as long as the read switch is held.
Switching between modes is done via a timed button sequence directly on the unit. No PC software is required, and the selected mode is retained on power cycle.
For calipers and micrometers, the read button is built into the gage cable. For digital indicators and other instruments without an integral read button, the 2.5 mm subminiature jack on the side of the GageWay KW accepts an external read switch.
Two options are available:
Hand Switch (P/N: HNDSW-MPLG) — 6 ft. cable, handheld momentary switch. Standard for bench inspection and measurement stations where the operator holds the part with one hand.
Foot Switch (P/N: FTSW-MPLG) — 6 ft. cable, floor-mounted pedal. Frees both hands for part handling. Commonly used in high-volume inspection and attribute data collection.
Every gage reading sent by GageWay KW is a clean numeric string terminated with a carriage return (Enter). The string contains only:
No unit labels, no status flags, no leading spaces. The output lands directly in the target field of your application ready for use — no parsing, no post-processing, no intermediate software layer.
GageWay KW and GageWay SM share the same gage compatibility and single-gage form factor. The difference is how they deliver data to your PC:
GageWay KW | GageWay SM | |
|---|---|---|
Output Type | USB HID keyboard wedge | USB Virtual COM Port (VCP) |
Driver Required | No | Yes (USB VCP driver) |
Target Software | Any app with a keyboard input field | COM port-aware software (SPC, custom, LIMS) |
Works with Excel Directly | Yes — data enters the active cell | No — requires COM port-reading software |
Setup Complexity | Plug and play | COM port configuration required |
Available Lengths | Fixed (6 ft. integrated USB cable) | 18 inch or 6 ft. integrated USB cable |
Gage Compatibility | Digimatic compatible gages | Digimatic compatible gages |
Choose GageWay KW if your workflow feeds gage data into Excel, Access, a browser-based form, or any standard Windows application. No software configuration needed.
Choose GageWay SM if your software reads from a COM port or serial port — common in dedicated SPC platforms, LIMS, and custom applications that manage their own serial communication.
For applications requiring more than one gage, or where advanced configurability and multi-protocol support are priorities, the GageWay Pro is the appropriate step up:
GageWay KW | GageWay Pro | |
|---|---|---|
Gage Channels | 1 | 2, 4 or 8 |
Output Type | Keyboard Wedge (HID) | Keyboard Wedge + USB serial + DB9 RS-232 (both built in) |
RS-232 Gage Support | No | Yes — via the multifunction serial port, or via Level Converter Cable (GW-LC) on any front panel input port. Both exclusively available on GageWay Pro series. |
Gage Protocols Supported | Digimatic compatible gages, or gages with MicroRidge cables that convert output to a compatible format | Digimatic compatible gages, or gages with MicroRidge cables that convert output to a compatible format — plus RS-232 devices |
Configuration | Automatic / Button sequence | Windows-based Setup Program |
Continuous Read Throughput | Gage-dependent | Gage-depended with up to 5,230 readings/60 sec (Pro8 test) |
Baud Rate Support | N/A (Digimatic protocol) | 1200–57,600 bps |
Driver required | No (keyboard wedge mode) | No for keyboard wedge / Yes for serial port |
Choose GageWay KW for single-gage, plug-and-play keyboard wedge deployments with no configuration overhead.
Choose GageWay Pro for multi-gage fixturing, high-speed continuous read, RS-232 device integration, or environments where a dedicated Windows setup utility is appropriate.
GageWay KW is deployed across inspection and production environments where gage data must reach a PC application without transcription error:
Q: Does the GageWay KW require driver installation?
— No. GageWay KW operates as a USB HID device — the same device class as a standard keyboard or mouse. Windows recognizes it automatically with no driver download required.
Q: Which gages are compatible with the GageWay KW?
— GageWay KW supports any gage with a standard Digimatic compatible output, regardless of manufacturer. Some gages that do not natively output a compatible signal are also supported via MicroRidge-designed conversion cables. Examples include Federal Maxum, CDI, and others. Contact MicroRidge to confirm compatibility for your specific gage.
Q: Will it work with Excel?
— Yes. GageWay KW sends data as simulated keystrokes followed by a carriage return, so it works with any Windows application that accepts keyboard input — Excel, Access, Minitab, SPC software, ERP data entry screens, and browser-based forms.
Q: What is the difference between the GageWay KW and the GageWay SM?
— Both support the same gages in a single-gage form factor. GageWay KW outputs data as keyboard input (HID) — no driver or COM port setup needed, works directly with Excel and any standard Windows app. GageWay SM outputs via USB Virtual COM Port — requires a driver and COM port-aware software, but is the correct choice when your application manages its own serial communication.
Q: What does it mean when the LED blinks 3 times?
— Three blinks indicate GageWay KW attempted to read the gage but did not receive valid data. Common causes include the gage being powered off, the cable not fully seated, or a gage type mismatch.
Q: My gage doesn’t have a read button on the cable. What do I do?
— Digital indicators typically don’t have a cable-mounted read button. Connect a hand switch (P/N: HNDSW-MPLG) or foot switch (P/N: FTSW-MPLG) to the 2.5 mm read switch jack on the side of the GageWay KW.
Q: Can I use GageWay KW with a Federal Maxum gage?
— Yes, but the cable must be purchased from MicroRidge. The Federal Maxum requires a MicroRidge-designed conversion cable and is not interchangeable with standard Mitutoyo cables.
Q: Does GageWay KW add units or extra characters to the measurement?
— No. The output is a clean numeric string — digits, minus sign if negative, decimal point — terminated with a carriage return. No unit labels, status flags, or leading spaces are appended.
Q: What happens if GageWay KW doesn’t detect a gage at startup?
— The unit retains its last configured gage type. The factory default is Mitutoyo-compatible output. To configure for a different gage, power the gage on before plugging in the GageWay KW.
Q: Is GageWay KW RoHS compliant?
— Yes. GageWay KW is RoHS 2 compliant. A Declaration of Compliance is available on the MicroRidge website.
Also in the GageWay Family:
Accessories:
Go Wireless:
GageWay KW (GW-KW) Specs | |
|---|---|
Interface Type | USB HID keyboard wedge — no driver required |
Interface Cable Length | 6 ft. USB cable |
Gage Connection | Mitutoyo Digimatic 10-pin (Type D Male) |
Data Output | Numeric string (digits 0–9, minus, decimal) + carriage return |
Read Switch Port | 2.5 mm subminiature phone jack |
Read Modes | Single, continuous (operator switchable) |
Gage Detection | Automatic |
Compatible Gages | Mitutoyo, Mahr Federal, CDI, Kroeplin, others |
LED Indicator | Read confirmation, error blink, gage detection status |
Dimensions | 2.16″ × 0.80″ × 0.40″ |
RoHS compliance | RoHS 2 compliant |
Warranty | 12 months from date of purchase |
Origin | Designed & Made in the USA |
