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GageWay
Wireless System
Wireless measurement collection for digital gages &
RS-232 devices
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 Quick
Facts:
- Universal
Mobile Module works with any gage just by changing the cable.
- Configure
a system using 2 types of hardware components: the Universal Mobile
Module and the MiniStation configured as a Base, Relay or Remote.
- Works
with calipers, micrometers, digital indicators, torque wrenches,
height gages, scales, etc.
- Universal
Mobile Module supports CDI, Fowler, Mahr Federal, Mitutoyo, Starrett,
Sylvac, RS-232, etc.
- Extra
rugged design for factory floor use.
- Universal
Mobile Module features highly visible LED user feedback.
- Use
the GageWay Wireless System with any SPC software.
In
its simplest form, a wireless measurement collection system consists
of a MiniStation Base connected to a PC receiving wireless data
from a Mobile Module or a MiniStation Remote, or it can be as complicated
as multiple Bases receiving data from dozens of Mobile Modules and
Remotes.
The
GageWay Wireless System is designed to work with any gage and device
from any gage manufacturer. When you purchase a GageWay Wireless
System you will not be locked into using a particular manufacturer's
line of gages. When choosing a wireless system, you need to be sure
that the wireless system is going to meet your current and future
needs by providing you the expandability and flexibility options
that you should demand in a wireless system.
The
GageWay Wireless System is designed for use on the factory floor,
in the lab or any location where you need to connect digital gages
and RS-232 devices to a computer through a wireless connection.
The GageWay Wireless System can easily be integrated with any of
our GageWay Series of interfaces or with any SPC/DAQ application
software.
Flexibility
is a key feature of the GageWay Wireless System:
Durability
Considerations
Durability
is a very important aspect of the design of a wireless system. You
can have highly advanced features in a wireless system, but if the
module connected to your caliper, micrometer, etc. is susceptible
to breakage as a result of dropping or rough usage, what good are
the advanced features?
The
MicroRidge Mobile Module uses a durable plastic injection molded
case designed for industrial and manufacturing environments, and
is connected to your gage with a flexible cable. This design does
not apply any excessive stresses to your gage if the unit is dropped
or mishandled. The wireless antenna is completely enclosed and protected
within the module case.
Some
manufacturers have employed a rigid connection from the module to
the gage, and individuals using these rigidly connected modules
have reported breakage problems with normal use. Some wireless modules
have an antenna wire several inches in length extending from the
module, and once gain users have commented how easy it is to break
this antenna wire connection.
When
selecting a wireless system, it is very important that the design
of the wireless module be such that it will easily survive the day-to-day
use and abuse that the module will inevitably be subjected to.
GageWay
Wireless Components
MicroRidge
has designed a family of components so that you can configure the
system to meet your requirements rather than forcing you to change
your procedures to accommodate a wireless implementation. The setup
for all of the wireless components is achieved through an easy-to-use
Windows application.
The
major components that can be used to configure a GageWay Wireless
System include the following:
- Universal
Mobile Module for digital & RS-232 gages from CDI, Fowler,
Mahr Federal, Mitutoyo, Starrett, Sylvac, etc.(released December
2007)
- Mobile
Module for Mitutoyo & Mitutoyo-compatible gages (released
October 2006)
- MiniStation
Base
- MiniStation
Relay
- MiniStation
Remote
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Wireless
Components
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Operational
Modes
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Range(2)
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Remote
Connections
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Remote
Mode
Input Source
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Setup
S/W
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Upgrade
Firmware
in Field
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Power
Sources
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Size
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Weight
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Base
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Relay
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Remote
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Universal
Mobile Module (1)
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x
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x
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x
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100'
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N/A
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Digital
gages & RS-232 devices
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x
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x
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Battery
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2.13"
x 1.44" x .79"
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1.6
oz (3)
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Mitutoyo
Mobile Module (4)
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x
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x
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x
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100'
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N/A
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Mitutoyo
gages
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x
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x
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Batteries
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1.97"
x 1.43" x .64"
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1.3
oz (3)
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MiniStation
(5)
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x
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x
(6)
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x
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300'
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50
(7)
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RS-232
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x
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x
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AC
adapter
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4.13"
x 2.65" x 1.14"
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6.8
oz
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1
Works
with any gage just by changing the cable. Supports digital &
RS-232 gages from CDI, Fowler, Mahr Federal, Mitutoyo, Starrett,
Sylvac, etc.
2 The maximum indoor line-of-site range
without external electrical interference. Actual range may vary.
3 Includes gage cable and batteries.
4 For Mitutoyo gage or any device with
Mitutoyo compatible output (caliper, micrometer, digital indicator,
etc.).
5 The MiniStation can be configured
by the user to operate in a Base, Relay or Remote mode.
6 The Relay mode is scheduled for release
in the first quarter of 2008.
7 The number of remote connections
that can be supported when the MiniStation is operating in the Base
mode.
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 Universal
Mobile Module
The
Universal Mobile Module works with all digital gages and RS-232 serial
devices just by changing the cable. Typical gages include gages from CDI,
Fowler, Mahr Federal, Mitutoyo, Starrett, Sylvac, etc. These include torque
wrenches, scales, calipers, micrometers, digital indicators, etc. This
module also supports the Opto interface used on several of these gages.
The Universal Mobile Module is intended for the roving inspector or anywhere
it is inconvenient to have the gage connected to an interface by a cable.
Mobile
Module for Mitutoyo Gages
 The
Mitutoyo
Mobile
Module connects directly to any Mitutoyo gage (or gage with Mitutoyo compatible
output). The
Mobile Module
is intended for
the roving inspector or anywhere it is inconvenient to have the gage connected
to an interface
by a cable
 MiniStation
The
MiniStation supports a maximum of 50 wireless inputs when used as a Base.
When configured as a Base, the MiniStation can receive data from Mobile
Modules and MiniStation Remotes. The MiniStation can also be configured
to operate in the Relay or Remote modes.
Plant
Wide vs. Work Cell Wireless Systems
There
are multiple strategies that can be used to implement a wireless system.
It is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of these
strategies before you do your implementation. Listed below are some things
you might want to consider with 2 different implementation strategies.
Plant
Wide System
A plant wide system would use a single MiniStation Base unit to receive
data from multiple work group areas, and send that data to a single computer.
A work group area may be 100's of feet away from the Base.
- The
operator will receive an acknowledgement that the data was received,
but how will the operator know that the data is being sent to the proper
application?
- How
does the operator tell the system that measurements need to be retaken?
- It
will be difficult for some operators to work with a system in which
they get no visual feedback other than data received by the Base.
- It
may require additional manpower to manage and keep the plant wide system
up and running.
Work
Cell System
A work cell is an area monitoring a portion of the overall manufacturing
process. Typically, there is a computer in this work cell used for measurement
collection and analysis. Normally this computer would be connected to
a local area network.
- Typically
there is a computer in your work area where you are collecting data
- It
is easier to get verification that the data is going to the proper application.
- If
you have to modify or retake information, you have more convenient access
to your data.
- Today,
most of the inspection stations, data acquisition stations, etc. are
based upon a work cell type scenario. Implementing a wireless system
in a work cell is typically much easier and less costly.
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