{"id":1351,"date":"2017-11-07T11:49:17","date_gmt":"2017-11-07T18:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.centralcarolinascale.com\/blog\/?p=1351"},"modified":"2023-11-20T14:12:51","modified_gmt":"2023-11-20T21:12:51","slug":"how-can-i-send-weight-data-from-my-scale-to-my-computer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.centralcarolinascale.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/07\/how-can-i-send-weight-data-from-my-scale-to-my-computer\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can I Send Weight Data From My Scale To My Computer?"},"content":{"rendered":"

At <\/span>Central Carolina Scale<\/span><\/a> we focus on scales and weighing equipment, first and foremost. That\u2019s what we\u2019ve always done. We are constantly working and training to be the best and most knowledgeable scale company that we can be. Now most of that training and on the job training focuses on digital weighing indicators, load cells, scales,\u00a0 etc\u2026 We send scale weight information to various devices such as remote displays.<\/span><\/p>\n

Customers have always been curious on how to send weight data from the scale to the computer since personal computers and laptops became prevalent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"send<\/p>\n

When it comes to sending your scale weight data from the actual digital weighing scale to the computer, how do you accomplish this task?<\/span><\/p>\n

It actually might be easier than you might think and something that you can accomplish on your own using our scale equipment and a readily available accessory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please note, if you are operating a <\/span>legal for trade weighing<\/b> scenario, then you will need to make sure that any software or method that you utilize is legal to use. For example, if you are operating a <\/span>truck scale<\/span><\/a> and you are looking to send truck weights to your computer, then you will most likely need to utilize a software like <\/span>Cardinal WinVRS<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Rice Lake onTrak<\/span><\/a>. If you are using a <\/span>Doran Scales<\/span><\/a> indicator, you would be interested to know they have made great software available for their products. The <\/span>Doran Excelerator<\/span><\/a> is likely the most basic software that is offered by Doran; it allows weight data to be taken from the scale readout and placed into Microsoft Excel. Doran also has more advanced software packages available.<\/span><\/p>\n

USB Scale<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Cardinal Scale Manufacturing<\/span><\/a> also offers a <\/span>USB option<\/span><\/a> for many of their weight indicators, which makes sending weight data from the scale controller to a USB thumb drive very simple. You can just take the USB stick out of the indicator, load it into your PC and see the <\/span>weight data on your computer screen<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re using a digital counting scale like the <\/span>Counterpart<\/span><\/a>, Rice Lake has the <\/span>WeighVault computer software<\/span><\/a>, which is a comprehensive software package that stores and manages data on your PC. With Counterpart, you can create custom reports for inventory, threshold, location and more. It is designed for operators with minimal computer experience and managers who require quick and accurate information. Scales can be added or moved on-the-fly without interrupting other scales operating on the network.<\/span><\/p>\n

Likewise, the WeighVault is also available for the CW90 checkweigher. In this case, WeighVault allows CW-90\/90X users to add, edit, and access IDs over a network connection. WeighVault surpasses the CW-90\/90X\u2019s 50 ID limitation and eliminates front-panel entry of ID parameters. It also collects data as transactions occur, and provides detailed transaction and productivity reports which can be exported to Excel, Word, or as a PDF.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to scales with a digital USB output, there are also a few other choices available for end users to consider.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

TalTech WinWedge<\/strong><\/h2>\n

TalTech WinWedge<\/span><\/a> Serial Device Data Collection for serial devices, including meters, balances, scales or any RS232 instrument. WinWedge captures data directly to Excel, Access or any Windows application or web page. It can even send commands out a COM port so you can control your device through hotkeys, buttons, or DDE.<\/span><\/p>\n

WinWedge easily collects data from balances, gauges, meters, sensors, micrometers, barcode scanners, GPS, PLCs, analyzers and other measuring devices, and laboratory instruments. It can send the data directly into any Windows program, including Excel spreadsheets, Access databases, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

WinWedge is designed to be highly flexible and can easily parse, filter and format your device data to fit your project\u2019s requirements. It can also transmit prompts or commands through the serial port to control your instruments. Winwedge comes in both Professional and Standard versions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Setup is as Easy as ONE, TWO, THREE<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Select your device\u2019s parameters.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Connect your device to your PC\u2019s serial or USB port (installing any necessary drivers) and use the WinWedge interface to select your device\u2019s communications settings, such as the COM port, baud rate, parity, data bits, and stop bits.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Define the data structure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Intuitive, walk-through menus allow you to tailor the data to your needs by splitting the record into multiple fields, filter out certain characters, or format the data to meet your requirements. You can also easily define hot keys and buttons to send serial commands to your device or perform other tasks.<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Select the mode and activate<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Select from either Keystrokes Mode, DDE Server Mode, or Log to Disk, specify the target application or file, and activate WinWedge! Watch as the data from your device \u201cpops\u201d into the Windows application you selected. You can even input the device data directly to a chart or use Excel\u2019s built-in functions to perform real-time analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n

        MicroRidge<\/span><\/a> designs and manufactures a broad range of wired and wireless measurement collection solutions, including WedgeLink hardware and software keyboard wedges. Measurement collection is what they specialize in. They don\u2019t manufacture gauges, but they support gauges from a wide variety of manufacturers. The products are made in the USA and support the broadest range of digital and RS-232 gauges, digital indicators, scales, and more. They also provide free unlimited and knowledgeable technical support on all of the products that they manufacture, particularly the keyboard wedge and software keyboard wedge.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Keyboard Wedge vs Hardware Wedge<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        A hardware wedge reads data from digital gauges or RS-232 devices and sends the data to the PC via a keyboard or USB port. The data sent by the hardware wedge looks like keyboard data to the current application. The more common applications that are used with keyboard wedges include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and other database types of applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

        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 port. A software keyboard wedge reads data from a serial port and passes this data to a PC application in such a manner that the application thinks the data is entered via the keyboard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        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. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Popular Question: How does the digital weight indicator prevent input of fluctuating weights?<\/strong><\/p>\n

        The digital weight indicator can usually have a built-in solution to prevent the input of fluctuating weights. One of the key features is the Print-at-Stability function. This function ensures that the software only records weight readings when the object being weighed reaches a stable weight.<\/p>\n

        Popular Question: Can the digital weight indicator record weights automatically or manually?<\/strong><\/p>\n

        The digital weight indicator or shipping scale provides users with the flexibility to choose how they want their data to be received. You could have your scale continuously sending weight data automatically or manually by pressing a button such as the Print key.<\/p>\n

        Does a scale with digital output<\/em> mean the same thing as sending weight data to a computer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        Some scale users search for the term scale with digital output<\/em> when they are searching for a scale that sends weight data to their computer although it is technically not quite the right terminology if you are looking to connect a scale to a computer.<\/p>\n

        Do you offer usb scale software\u00a0 or rs232 weight scale software?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        As mentioned in this entry, Winwedge is a good choice for many of you. Also Cardinal offers the PC Companion software which works with some of the Cardinal weight indicators. Doran offers Excelerator for weight data capture. AdamDu is also available for the data stream coming from an Adam scale indicator or weighing scales.<\/p>\n