Designed & Made in the USA Since 1983
The GageWay SM connects a single Digimatic compatible gage to your PC via USB, appearing to your software as a standard serial COM port. Pre-configured at 9600-N-8-1 — no baud rate setup or communication parameter changes required. Plug it in, install the USB VCP driver, and your COM port-aware application can begin collecting gage data immediately.
Compatible with any gage that provides a standard Digimatic compatible output, or gages with MicroRidge-designed cables that convert the gage’s output to a compatible format — including Mitutoyo, Federal Maxum, CDI, Kroeplin, and others. Powered entirely by the USB port — no external adapter required. Available in 18-inch and 6-foot cable lengths to fit bench or fixture installations.
Interface Type – USB Virtual COM Port (VCP)
Gage Connection – Mitutoyo Digimatic 10-pin (Type D Male)
Pre-Configured Comm Parameters – 9600-N-8-1
Driver required – Yes — FTDI USB VCP driver
Power – USB powered — no AC adapter
Interface Cable Length – 18 inch, 6 ft.
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
The GageWay SM delivers gage data to your PC as a USB Virtual COM Port (VCP). To your operating system and your software, it looks exactly like a device connected to a physical RS-232 serial port. Any application that can open a COM port and read a serial data stream can receive gage measurements from the GageWay SM.
This makes the GageWay SM the right interface when your software manages its own serial communication — dedicated SPC platforms, LIMS, custom data collection applications, and any software that requires a COM port assignment rather than keyboard input. If your software asks you to “select a COM port” during setup, GageWay SM is the correct interface.
Note: GageWay SM is not designed to send data directly into Excel or other standard Windows applications. For that use case, see the GageWay KW keyboard wedge.
After installing the USB VCP driver, the GageWay SM appears as a COM port in Device Manager and is immediately available to your application. GageWay SM is pre-configured at 9600-N-8-1 — match your software to those parameters and no further configuration is required.
On power-up, the LED blinks approximately 6 times. When blinking stops, the unit is ready to receive commands and send data to the PC.
The USB VCP driver uses the FTDI chipset and is available from the MicroRidge USB Driver page.
GageWay SM 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 SM 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.
Gage readings can be initiated three ways: the read button on the gage cable, an optional foot or hand switch connected to the read switch port on the side of the GageWay SM, or a serial command sent from the host system. The computer command option supports automated and timed data collection workflows from PLCs, HMIs, or custom applications without operator input.
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.
GageWay SM accepts the following serial commands from the host system. Commands are not case sensitive and do not require a carriage return terminator:
Command | Function |
|---|---|
R | Read gage — single reading |
B | Begin continuous gage read |
S | Stop continuous gage read |
C | Begin continuous read while read switch is held |
D | Stop continuous read when read switch is released |
H | Display list of available commands |
L | Turn LED on for 50 ms (connection test) |
V | Display version information |
Z | Reset to power-up configuration |
GageWay SM sends measurements left-justified, terminated with a carriage return. No leading, trailing, or embedded spaces are included. The string length varies based on the number of digits in the measurement. Examples:
1.3265
.1455
-.5725
13.26The output string contains only measurement digits (0–9), a minus sign for negative values, and a decimal point. No unit labels, status flags, or formatting characters are appended. The receiving PLC, HMI, or application reads the string and terminates on the carriage return.
GageWay KW, GageWay SM and GageWay SMR share the same gage compatibility and single-gage form factor. The difference is how they deliver data to your PC:
GageWay SM | GageWay SMR | GageWay KW | |
|---|---|---|---|
Output Type | USB Virtual COM Port (VCP) | RS-232 DB9 serial | USB HID keyboard wedge |
Driver Required | Yes (USB VCP driver) | No | No |
Host Connection | USB port | Native DB9 serial port | USB port |
Best For | Modern PCs running COM port-aware software | PLCs, HMIs, CNC controllers, legacy industrial PCs | Any app accepting keyboard input — Excel, SPC, ERP |
Power Source | USB | Serial port handshake lines | USB |
Power Control | Always on when USB connected | Application-controlled (port open/close) | Always on when USB connected |
Computer Command Control | Yes | Yes | No |
Available Lengths | 18 inch or 6 ft. | 18 inch or 6 ft. | Fixed (6 ft. USB cable) |
Choose GageWay SMR when the receiving system has a native RS-232 DB9 serial port — PLCs, HMIs, CNC controllers, data loggers, and legacy industrial PCs.
Choose GageWay SM when the receiving system is a modern PC or workstation running COM port-aware software such as a dedicated SPC platform, LIMS, or custom application.
Choose GageWay KW when your workflow feeds gage data directly into Excel, Access, a browser-based form, or any standard Windows application that accepts keyboard input.
GageWay SM | GageWay Pro | |
|---|---|---|
Gage Channels | 1 | 2, 4 or 8 |
Output Type | USB Virtual COM Port (VCP) | Keyboard wedge + USB VCP + DB9 serial port |
RS-232 Gage Support | No | Yes — via multifunction serial port or Level Converter Cable (GW-LC) |
Configuration | Pre-configured 9600-N-8-1 | Windows-based Setup Program |
Firmware upgradeable | Yes | Yes |
Choose GageWay SM for single-gage COM port deployments where simplicity and low cost are the priority.
Choose GageWay Pro for multi-gage fixturing, mixed protocol environments, or applications requiring the full Windows setup utility and multi-output flexibility.
Q: Does the GageWay SM work with Excel?
— No. GageWay SM outputs via USB Virtual COM Port — your software must be able to open and read a COM port. For sending gage data directly into Excel or other standard Windows applications, see the GageWay KW keyboard wedge.
Q: Do I need to configure baud rate or communication parameters?
— No. GageWay SM ships pre-configured at 9600-N-8-1. Match your software to those parameters and no further configuration is needed.
Q: Which gages are compatible with the GageWay SM?
— GageWay SM supports any gage with a standard Digimatic compatible output, regardless of manufacturer. Some gages are also supported via MicroRidge-designed conversion cables. Examples include Federal Maxum, CDI, and more. Contact MicroRidge to confirm compatibility for your specific gage.
Q: Can I trigger a gage read from software?
— Yes. In addition to the read button on the gage cable or an optional foot or hand switch, GageWay SM accepts serial commands from the host application to initiate single or continuous readings. A full command set is available — see the user guide or contact MicroRidge for details.
Q: What is the difference between the GageWay SM and the GageWay KW?
— Both connect a single Digimatic compatible gage to a PC. GageWay SM outputs via USB Virtual COM Port — requires a driver and COM port-aware software. GageWay KW operates as a USB HID keyboard wedge — no driver needed, works directly with Excel and any standard Windows application.
Q: What is the difference between the GageWay SM and the GageWay SMR?
— Both output gage data at 9600-N-8-1 in a single-gage form factor. GageWay SM outputs via USB Virtual COM Port — requires an FTDI VCP driver and a USB port on the host. GageWay SMR outputs via native RS-232 DB9 — no driver required, connects directly to PLCs, HMIs, CNC controllers, and other industrial systems with DB9 serial ports.
Q: What driver does GageWay SM use?
— GageWay SM uses an FTDI USB VCP driver, available from the MicroRidge website USB Driver page. Windows 2000 or later is required.
Q: What does the LED indicate on the GageWay SM?
— The LED blinks approximately 6 times on power-up to indicate the unit is ready. It flashes once each time a gage reading is successfully captured and sent.
Q: Can the firmware be updated in the field?
— Yes. GageWay SM firmware is upgradeable via the USB port. Current firmware is available on the MicroRidge Product Downloads page.
Also in the GageWay Family:
Accessories:
Go Wireless:
GageWay SM (GW-SM-U) Specs | |
|---|---|
Interface Type | USB Virtual COM Port (VCP) |
Interface Cable Length | 18 inch, 6 ft. |
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 and continuous |
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 |
Firmware Upgradeable | Yes — via USB Virtual COM Port (VCP) |
Warranty | 12 months from date of purchase |
Origin | Designed & Made in the USA |
