By closing the gap between general programming books and those on laboratory automation, this timely book makes accessible to every laboratory technician or scientist what has traditionally been restricted to highly specialized professionals. Following the idea of "learning by doing", the book provides an introduction to scripting using AutoIt, with many workable examples based on real-world scenarios.
A large portion of the book tackles the traditionally hard problem of instrument synchronization, including remote, web-based synchronization. Automated result processing, database operation, and creation of graphical user interfaces are also examined.
Readers of this book can immediately profit from the new knowledge in terms of both increased efficiency and reduced costs in laboratory operation. Above all, laboratory technicians and scientists will learn that they are free to choose whatever equipment they desire when configuring an automated analytical setup, regardless of manufacturers suggested specifications.
Auflage
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Maße
Höhe: 24.4 cm
Breite: 17 cm
Dicke: 1.5 cm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-3-527-34158-0 (9783527341580)
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Matheus Carvalho de Carvalho, PhD, is a Senior Research Associate at Southern Cross University, Australia. His diverse research interests include employing stable isotopes to investigate algal photosynthesis and respiration, and developing customized and low-cost automated analytical approaches. He is member of the editorial board of the journal HardwareX, and a member of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening.
Autor*in
Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia
INTRODUCTION
A Brief Story of Laboratory Automation
Approaches for Instrument Integration
Scripting versus Standardization in Laboratory Automation
Topics Covered in this Book
Learning by Doing: FACACO and FAKAS
Summary and Suggested Reading
THE VERY BASIC OF AUTOIT
What Is AutoIt?
Alternatives to AutoIt
Writing Your First Script (Mouse Click Automation)
Knowing More about SciTE
AutoIt on Linux
Summary and Suggested Reading
TIMED SCRIPTS
Controlling the Timing of Actions
Moving and Activating Windows
Sending Keyboard Inputs
"For" Loops and Variables
Organizing Your Code: Functions and Libraries
Replacing Mouse Clicks with Keyboard Shortcuts
Summary
INTERACTIVE SCRIPTS
Window Monitoring
Pixel Monitoring
"While...WEnd" Loops for Pixel Monitoring
Synchronizing FACACO and FAKAS using Pixel Monitoring
Enhanced Pixel Monitoring Using PixelCheckSum
Blocking Access to Keyboard and Mouse
Summary
SCRIPTING WITH CONTROLS
Using AWI to Get Control Information
Functions That Provide Control Information
Sending Commands to Controls
Synchronizing FACACO and FAKAS Using Controls
Dealing with Errors: If...Then
Summary
E-MAIL AND PHONE ALARMS
E-mail Alarms
SMS and Phone Call Alarms
Summary
USING LOW-COST EQUIPMENT FOR LABORATORY AUTOMATION
G-Code Devices
Robotic Arms
Do-It-Yourself Devices
Summary and Suggested Reading
CONTROLLING SERIAL PORTS
Serial Communication Protocols
Controlling COM Ports
Implications for other Devices
ARRAYS AND STRINGS
Organized Data: Arrays
Raw Data: Strings
Summary
DATA PROCESSING WITH SPREADSHEETS
Exporting Results to Spreadsheet Software
Dealing with Saved Results (Files)
Processing Spreadsheet Files
Summary
WORKING WITH DATABASES
Starting SQlite in AutoIt
Creating SQlite in AutoIt
Modifying an Existing SQlite Database
Databases with More Than One Table
Retrieving Data from Databases
Summary
SIMPLE REMOTE SYNCHRONIZATION
Time Macros
Synchronizing FACACO and FAKAS Using Time Macros
Summary
REMOTE SYNCHRONIZATION USING REMOTE CONTROL SOFTWARE
TeamViewer
Synchronizing FACACO and FAKAS Using TeamViewer
TEXT-BASED REMOTE SYNCHRONIZATION
Choosing Instant Messaging Software
Writing and Reading from Trillian Using AutoIt
Synchronizing FACACO and FAKAS Using Trillien
Summary
REMOTE SYNCHRONIZATION USING IRC
AutoIt and IRC
Monitoring the Connection
Synchronizing FACACO and FAKAS
Final Considerations
Summary
REMOTE SYNCHRONIZATION USING WINDOWS LAN TOOLS
Connecting to a LAN
Creating a Shared Folder
Synchronizing FACACO and FAKAS
Summary
REMOTE SYNCHRONIZATION USING THIRD-PARTY LAN SOFTWARE
Connecting to a LAN Using Bingo's Chat
Automated Communication Using Bingo's Chat
Synchronizing FACACO and FAKAS
Summary
INTERACTING WITH DEVICES VIA COM PORTS
Serial Communication Protocols
AutoIt and COM Ports
Monitoring in Real Time
Implications for Other Devices
Other Technologies for Instrument Control
Summary and Suggested Reading
INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI)
Making a Very Simple GUI
Adding Simple Elements to a GUI
Setting Keyboard Shortcuts
Summary
USING GUI TO CONTROL INSTRUMENTS
GUIs to Controal the EHMA Valve Actuator
Controlling Two or More COM Ports in the Same Script
A GUI to Control a Digital Balance
Summary
MULTITASKING GUIS
The "GUIOnEventMode" Option
Multitaskting Using GUIOnEventMode
Summary
ADDING GRAPHICAL ELEMENTS TO A GUI
Getting Started with GDIplus
Creating Animations Using GDIplus
Summary
CREATING GUIS USING KODA
Getting Started with KODA
Creating a Script
Summary
SOME SUGGESTIONGS
Suggestions for Manufacturers
Suggestions for Users
APPENDIX
Other SciTE Features
Optical Character Recognition
Scripting with Nonstandard Controls (UIA)
