BeamlineAutomationRS232

A collection of Python drivers for RS-232 control of common beamline components at the mySpot beamline of BESSY-II (HZB):

• WPI Aladdin syringe pump
  
• VICI 10+1 selector valve (MU actuator)
  
• IKA RET control-visc & RCT digital stirring/heating plates
  

Each driver is encapsulated in its own class; all share a common RS-232 communication layer with 8-bit, no-parity, 1-stop, no flow control settings.

Repository Structure

BeamlineAutomationRS232/ ├── aladdin_pump.py # AladdinPump class ├── vici_actuator.py # ViciActuator class ├── ikalab_device.py # IkaLabDevice class (RET/RCT plates) ├── README.md # This file └── examples/ ├── pump_test.py # Example: infusion & withdrawal tests ├── valve_test.py # Example: set valve to port 5 └── plate_test.py # Example: temperature & stirring control

Requirements

• Python 3.7 or higher
  
• pySerial
  
• A USB-RS232 adapter or built-in COM port
  

On Linux, grant your user access to serial ports:

```bash sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER

then log out and back in

```

Installation

1. Clone the repo: bash git clone https://github.com/BAMresearch/BeamlineAutomationRS232.git cd BeamlineAutomationRS232
2. Install dependencies: bash pip install pyserial

Usage

1. AladdinPump (WPI syringe pump)

```python from aladdin_pump import AladdinPump

pump = AladdinPump(device="/dev/ttyUSB0", baud=9600) if pump.ser: pump.runinfusiontest( diametermm=4.61, # syringe bore in mm volumeml=20.0, # 20 mL ratemlpermin=5.0, # 5 mL/min maxwait=60.0 # seconds ) pump.runwithdrawaltest( diametermm=4.61, volumeml=20.0, ratemlpermin=5.0, maxwait=60.0 ) pump.close() else: print("Failed to open pump serial port.") ```

2. ViciActuator (10+1 selector valve)

```python from vici_actuator import ViciActuator

valve = ViciActuator(port="/dev/ttyUSB1", baud=9600) if valve.ser: valve.setmode(3) # multiposition valve.setnp(10) # 10 ports valve.home() # go to position 1 valve.go(5) # rotate so common ↔ port 5 print("Position:", valve.get_position()) valve.close() else: print("Failed to open valve serial port.") ```

3. IkaLabDevice (IKA RET / RCT plates)

```python from ikalab_device import IkaLabDevice

plate = IkaLabDevice(device="/dev/ttyUSB2", baud=9600) if plate.ser: model = plate.detect_model() # e.g. “IKARET” or “RCT…”

# Stirring example (function 4):
print("Speed (rpm):", plate.get_actual(4))
plate.set_setpoint(4, 300)     # set 300 rpm
plate.remote_on(4)             # start stirring
time.sleep(5)
plate.remote_off(4)

# Heating example (function 2):
print("Current temp:", plate.get_actual(2))
plate.set_setpoint(2, 80.0)    # set 80 °C
plate.remote_on(2)
time.sleep(10)
plate.remote_off(2)

plate.reset()
plate.close()

else: print("Failed to open plate serial port.") ```

License

Distributed under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.

Author

Tomasz Stawski
tomasz.stawski@bam.de
BAM Research – June 2025