A blog about weighing scales and weighing industry news
Tag: 232key
232key is a virtual keyboard wedge software that transforms data received from measuring instruments (e.g. scales) or other serial devices (e.g. barcode readers) into simulated keystrokes.
This allows you to easily type data from a serial device into any software running on your PC. A typical application would be to send the weight from a scale or balance to Microsoft Excel.
This page contains all articles on our blog tagged with 232key.
The new Ohaus Navigator series consists of a total of 18 scales (incl. 4 LFT models) with a maximum capacity from 220g up to 22kg and a readability starting at 0.01g. As usual in this segment, all scales use load cells with strain gages.
Scale
Capacity [g]
Readability [g]
NV222
220
0.01
NV422
420
0.01
NV622
620
0.01
NV221
220
0.1
NV621
620
0.1
NV1201
1200
0.1
NVT2201
2200
0.1
NVT6201
6200
0.1
NVT2200
2220
1
NVT6200
6200
1
NVT12000
12000
1
NVT22000
22000
1
LFT scale
Capacity [g]
Readability [g]
NVT1601M
1600
1
NVT3200M
3200
2
NVT6400M
6400
5
Note: Available models and characteristics may differ depending on your region. This article refers to scales available in Europe as of May 2019.
Differences to the previous Navigator scales
The NVL series (Navigator XL) with its unusual elongated shape is no longer available:
From left to right: Old Navigator XT scale (NVT), old Navigator XL scale (NVL), old Navigator scale (NV)
On all new scales, the upper side of the housing is now white, and the red display framing is more discreet. Another difference is the even higher contrast of the display:
Old NVT scale (left) and new NVT scale (right)
The touchless IR sensor has been removed from all scales except the LFT models.
Interface options and accessories continue to be available
Numerous interface options are available, making these scales particularly interesting for data transfer to a computer: RS-232, USB device (virtual COM port) and Ethernet.
Ohaus Navigator scale with optional USB interface installed
Ohaus Navigator device profile in Simple Data Logger (SDL)
As standard, all scales are supplied with a plug-in power supply and can alternatively be operated with batteries. An optional lead battery is also available for the larger NVT models.
A carrying case is available to make the scales even more portable:
Ohaus Navigator carrying case (30467963)
Further information on the new 2019 Ohaus Navigator scales
Note: The photos for this article were not provided by the manufacturer. If you would like to use them on your website or in other publications, please contact us to acquire a license.
Two versions of Kern’s BalanceConnection software are now available: the standard version (SCD-4.0) and the Pro version (SCD-4.0-PRO).
The following table shows the features of the standard version on the left and the additional features of the Pro version on the right (according to Kern’s 2019 catalog):
BalanceConnection SCD-4.0
BalanceConnection SCD-4.0-PRO
· For operating systems Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 · Supports balances measuring devices with RS 232, RS 485, Bluetooth, LAN or WLAN network (TCP/UDP/IP) · Highly flexible formatting of the output (any order, formatting and rounding), particularly recording of date and time for every value transferred, if required · Any number of devices/interfaces can be connected, as well as simultaneous and synchronised recording of several balances · Key-activated or time-controlled interro- gation of measurements or trigger of device functions, also for continuous recording · The interface protocols for KERN balances are already predefined (standard configuration) · Compatible interface cable included when you order a KERN balance at the same time · Many different transfer and recording options: – Microsoft ® Excel/Access/Word in the fore ground or background – Other Windows applications (through key simulation), e.g. shipping software or ERP system (SAP, Sage, etc.) – File recording (e.g. as text or CSV file) – Print out on text or label printer – Screen output such as large display, line chart (drying curve for moisture analyzer), histogram, etc.
· ODBC/SQL databases such as SQL Server or MySQL · Transfer to HTTP Webservices/Web forms · Histogram · Enables the connection of medical balances to practice EDP systems using the device data transfer protocol (GDT) and also the HL7 protocol · Implementation of programs/scrips using freely-definable command lines · Command sequences · Defining the conditions for specific events and the reaction to these events · Filter for stability recognition (configurable value storage) · Central configuration repository, e.g. on the network · On-screen displays with configurable user interface for flexible balance operation
If you do not need the features listed on the right, the standard version is the right choice. However, this version has also become a bit more expensive compared to the single version available so far.
Inexpensive alternatives
If you don’t need the extensive functionality of BalanceConnection and only want to connect a single scale to your PC, we offer two very inexpensive alternatives. Each of these programs has a single purpose and is therefore easy to set up and use:
232key: Transfers the weight to any application (e.g. Excel, shipping software, etc.) using a key simulation (virtual keyboard wedge).
Simple Data Logger: Stores the weight in a CSV file (if desired with date and time), the weight can also be retrieved from the scale using a timer (Plus version only).
Are you still manually entering weight readings from your scale or balance on your PC? Is your scale equipped with an RS-232 or USB (virtual COM port) interface? If yes, you can probably eliminate manual data entry by connecting your scale to your computer and using our free 232key software.
232key automatically types the weight into any application
Our software runs in the background, listens to the COM port (serial port) your scale is connected to and waits for measurement values sent by the scale. Those values are then parsed, formatted and typed into the application running in the foreground at the current cursor position as simulated keystrokes. This means that 232key can be used to transfer the weight (or other measurement values) into any application that accepts keyboard inputs, e.g. Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice / LibreOffice Calc, Google Docs, a form on a website, etc.
In the following example, I used A&D’s FG-60KBM scale with an optional RS-232 interface (FG-OP-23). I connected it to my laptop with A&D’s serial cable (AX-PC09-SCA) and an inexpensive converter to USB (as my laptop doesn’t have a serial port). Upon pressing the “PRINT” key on the scale, the weight was typed directly into an input field on a website:
Compatibility with scales and balances
To use 232key, you’ll need a scale with a RS-232 interface (aka. serial port, COM port, EIA-232) or an interface which appears as a (virtual) COM port when the scale is connected to your PC. This is the case for many (but not all) scales with a USB interface and for scales which support the Bluetooth Serial Port Profile.
Your scale or balance also has to send the weight in ASCII format. Ideally, the weight should be the first numeric value sent and it should only be sent once (after you’ve pressed a key on the scale or on stability), not continuously.
The vast majority of scales and balances available on the market today fulfill these requirements. To give you a few examples, you should be able to use 232key with most or all scales and balances made by A&D, Mettler-Toledo, Ohaus, Sartorius and other well-known brands. New device profiles are constantly added!
Finally, an easy way to transfer data from your scale to your PC
We designed 232key to make your life easier. No complicated configuration is required. If your scale manufacturer or model is included in the list of predefined devices, you don’t even have to manually enter the interface parameters: Simply select your scale and click on Set defaults to load the settings.
Not sure which COM port your scale is connected to? Press the “Auto” button and 232key will try to detect the port automatically (works with devices which have some sort of hardware handshaking functionality, e.g. scales and balances made by A&D or Sartorius).
Do you know which decimal separator (point or comma) your scale is using? Why should you! 232key understands both input formats and lets you choose which output format you want.
Would you like 232key to press an additional key after typing the weight, e.g. the “Enter” key to jump to the next row in a spreadsheet? No problem, simply specify the desired key in the Output tab.
All of these useful and user-friendly features are available for free! Additional functionality is available in the paid “Plus” version of 232key.
Do you prefer to write the weight to a file instead?
232key is a great solution for sending the weight from your scale to an application running on your PC (as simulated keystrokes). In some cases, however, it makes more sense to record the weight to a file which is opened later (e.g. in Excel).
This is particularly true for unattended data logging applications running over long periods of time. Another example are applications with high data rates (several weight values per second) which would overwhelm your PC when sent as keyboard inputs.
