Probe Station Project
Shared with express permission of Curtis Berlinguette Research group
I was tasked with designing and implementing a conductivity characterization module for a new gantry slide-handling robot.
Design Process
Slide-handler Design

Conductivity Probe Design


Software

This project uses two off-the-shelf components: a digital multimeter to conduct measurements and a switch matrix to multiplex the multimeter.
These instruments have native automation features written in SCPI. I used PyVisa to send SCPI commands and receive data in Python.
I wrote separate classes for controlling each instrument (
switch matrix controller
anddmm controller
).After confirming probe/gantry integration details with project engineers I wrote a
probe station controller
class which coordinated the two instruments to carry out conductivity measurements on command.I documented the project, integrated it with the
gantry station control
project and submitted it for review.
Outcomes
The module was completed and handed over to the gantry station project owner.
The gantry system continued to see development through until February 2021.
In June a scientist requested use of the probe station to make swept conductivity measurements of glass-deposited films. A custom sweep routine and JSON data-output program were written and put into use for 3 weeks. End user reported satisfaction with operation and end results.

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