If it is a self-contained system, I can see no reason why the baud rate would need changing

If, however, it can communicate with other equipment then they need to be talking/listening at the same speed [and using the same protocol]

Not sure if that helps, or if I am just stating the obvious [in which case, I apologise]

MichaelG.

Industrial kit is often reconfigured in a group, that is many devices are wired together and can be updated at the same time, or monitored.

In addition to the keyboard, there's probably a data socket on the back. Modern kit sometimes has an Ethernet or USB connection, and some are probably be on to Wifi and Bluetooth by now. Earlier devices typically have a less sophisticated RS232 or RS422 socket, where the reader and writer have to be set to the same baud rate, parity, and stop/start bit convention before they can talk.

If you had lots of DROs or VFDs, it would be possible to compose all their settings on a laptop in a comfy office. Once the laptop is ready, walk down a line with it, plugging in to install the same settings on as many machines as wanted. Much quicker and more reliable than faffing with a separate keyboard on each machine. Very handy when installing lots of new kit, reconfiguring for different work, or resetting after a fault. Not so useful if you've only got a few machines.

The other reason for having a data socket is the DRO can probably transmit readings to a remote console. It's handy for monitoring several machines and logging what they're up to. If you suspect someone is wasting company time and money making rabbits, you can prove it…

Dave