Our digital display for measuring instruments offers a simple way to show measurement values on an external display. The external display can be connected to the dial gauge (or another measuring instrument such as a calliper or micrometer) via a cable or wirelessly. By using common and open standards, the large displays can be used in a wide variety of applications. Either as a standalone display for a single dial gauge, for example, or as part of a complex MQTT or LAN infrastructure for connection via a wireless link. Both MQTT and WebSocket are supported as wireless protocols, each via Wi-Fi.
The range of simple, external readout devices for dial gauges or calipers used in measurement, display or testing tasks is very limited on the market. Accordingly, our wireless readout module for dial gauges fills a niche in this market, catering to applications where a dedicated PC, smartphone or tablet would either be considered excessive or ruled out due to the associated administrative burden.
The stand-alone display with a TFT colour screen can be used as a large external readout for measuring instruments such as dial gauges, callipers or micrometers.
MQTT and Wi-Fi for measuring instruments are our passion. However, there are situations where wireless transmission is not desired or necessary.
Consequently, this module can be connected not only as a Wi-Fi wireless display but also via a cable as a wired remote display for a dial gauge or other measuring instrument. Another connection option is to establish a connection to the measuring system via the MQTT protocol or HTTP/WebSockets using a Wi-Fi wireless connection.
The Mitutoyo Digimatic protocol or a serial protocol, such as that used by Mahr dial gauges or Helios-Preisser dial gauges, is supported as a wired protocol.
The display is supplied with a 5V plug-in power supply unit with a USB cable. The power supply connection on the display is via a micro-USB connector.
Product variants
The display is available in two versions:
(a) Display only, without a touchscreen. [Product in the shop]
(b) Model with a touchscreen [Product in the shop]
Alternatively, you are welcome to send enquiries by email instead of via the shop, and we will send you a personalised quote.
Even on the model without a touchscreen, limit value monitoring can be carried out via the web interface. On the touchscreen model, however, this setting can be adjusted directly by the operator on the display. The “set” “>0<” button can be used to reset the display module directly.
Limit value monitoring and zero points via the touchscreen
Configurable limit value monitoring allows the measurement result to be assessed on the remote display, which features active green-red switching.
The target range is also shown on a bar graph.
Furthermore, a target range outside the actual measurement dimensions can be set using an offset value or zero setting.
The limits can be configured externally via the web interface or, in the case of the touchscreen display module, entered and modified directly on the display.
To change the limit values and enter the data offset, first tap the desired row. Use the “<” and “>” keys to select the desired decimal place of the value. You can then use the “up” and “down” keys to increase or decrease the value of that digit.
“set” uses the current value as a negative offset (“zero position”).
“OK” completes the setup.
Both the background of the measurement display and the bar graph change to the corresponding colour when the IO value is reached. The default colours, RED and GREEN, can be changed by the user to custom colours via the web configuration.
Configuration options
The basic configuration is carried out via a web interface. The display module provides its own web interface for this purpose. This offers extensive configuration options covering all features of the remote display.
cable connection
If a wireless connection is not used, a pre-assembled cable from our production facility can be used to connect the dial gauge to the display.
When placing an order or requesting a quote, please specify which measuring instrument the cable is intended for. We support the data outputs of Mitutoyo dial gauges, micrometers and callipers with Digimatic data output (ID-S, ID-CX, ID-C), as well as the data outputs of Mahr or Helios-Preisser dial gauges. For specialised measuring instruments, please send a picture of the data output with your enquiry or order.
Cable lengths in stock are 1 m and 2 m. Custom cable lengths from 20 cm to 5 m are available.
Technical specifications of the remote display
| property | value | unit |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxHxD), excluding cables | 106 x 78 x 22 | mm |
| Hole spacing on mounting plate (X/Y) | 65 x 65 | mm |
| Weight | 95 | g |
| Temperature range | 0-50 | °C |
| supply voltage | 5 | V |
| Power consumption | 300 | mA |
| Measurement interval | 0,3 – 600 | sec |
| TFT LCD display (7.1 cm/2.8″ screen diagonal) | 320 x 200 | pixel |
The housing colour can be customised to the customer’s specifications. The standard colour is black.
The display module is ideally secured using four M4 x 10 mm countersunk screws.
Documentation
Please read our remote display documentation for detailed information on how it works and the configuration options available.
Resources
Download the overview as a PDF.
Client projects
Thanks to our agile manufacturing process, we can implement a wide range of customisations for display solutions for measuring instruments through customer projects. What is ultimately shown on the TFT colour display can be freely defined. There are no limits to the customer’s imagination here. Options include the graphical visualisation of measured values, e.g. as a pointer instrument, as well as a measurement history in the form of a trend graph or history view. Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that this is a simple display: highly complex visualisations of measurement values can still be implemented much more easily, quickly and effectively using a PC or tablet computer running MS Windows or Android/iOS. We have sufficient experience here to implement any visualisation requirement for a measuring device as a remote display for any measuring equipment in a laboratory, development or manufacturing environment.
Optionally, the display can also provide additional control inputs. These can then be used, for example, for our electromechanical dial gauge lifter in an automated test rig.
The product was developed in line with our agile manufacturing philosophy.
This means, for example, that the housing is 3D-printed in ABS and only simple, standard components are used.
This ensures a long-term supply of parts. With regard to the cable connections, it means that simple standard cables can be used directly in pre-assembled lengths.
Furthermore, special customer requirements can be easily accommodated.
Project examples
MQTT wireless connection
Example project using two dial gauges for simultaneous measurement via Wi-Fi/MQTT and joint display on a single screen: Read the article.Projektbeispiel mit 2 Messuhren bei gleichzeitiger Messung über WLAN/MQTT und gemeinsamer Darstellung auf einem Display: Zum Artikel.
4-way lift with display
In this project example for automated measurement using IoT measuring equipment, four dial gauges with automatic probe lifters are used. The measured values are displayed centrally on an external MQTT display. The combination results in a dial gauge with a large external display and an external lifting mechanism. The images shown still depict an older version of the display firmware. The display on the newer models has since been significantly enhanced and is as shown above.
All four Mitutoyo absolute dial gauges in the measuring system are connected to the external displays via cables. A switch allows the dial gauges to be raised and lowered centrally as soon as the workpiece has been placed in the assembly fixture by the operator. The measured values are displayed centrally on the external screen. The system can be automated so that both the processing of the measured values and the raising or lowering of the dial gauge probes are controlled via external signals, e.g. via MQTT. This also enables fully autonomous operation of the measuring station via robots and a control system.
The probe can be raised or lowered via an external signal. The position of the probe is shown on the display as an arrow. When the probe is lowered, the current reading on the dial gauge is shown in red or green. If the dial gauge is not connected or is switched off, a red diagonal cross is displayed.
The product was developed in line with our agile manufacturing philosophy.
This means, for example, that the housing is 3D-printed and only simple, standard components are used. This ensures a long-term supply of parts. With regard to the cable connections, it means that simple standard cables can be used directly in pre-assembled lengths.
The options
A smartphone or tablet can be used as an alternative to a standalone external display. These devices can also be connected directly to a dial gauge via an adapter cable. In addition to simply displaying readings, further functions can be easily implemented using the mobile device’s operating system. Our product, “smart measure display“, is designed for this application.
Legal information
Mitutoyo and Digimatic are likely registered trademarks of Mitutoyo. We use these terms here to explain the product described (the hardware and software). We have no affiliation with Mitutoyo – but we are very happy to use their high-quality, reliable dial gauges and calipers wherever possible.
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