Speaker
Description
Our work focuses on the development of an Automatic Laue Sample Aligner (ALSA) that allows to increase
the sample size for neutron experiments, by fully automating the co-alignment process [1].
However, the sample manipulation, which utilizes a precise robotic arm (Mecademic Meca500 [2]),
requires also advanced use of computer vision (CV). This poster presents our integration of general computer vision
capabilities into the instrument control software NICOS [3].
The whole set of code includes integration of the Basler cameras hardware, image processing techniques (object detection),
state-of-art cameras alignment procedures and ways to store and stream obtained images.
We've achieved substantial gains in automation efficiency. Looking forward, we envision native
CV support with NICOS, to cover a wider spectrum of laboratory tasks beyond crystal detection,
from instrument calibration to dynamic decision-making.
We invite meeting attendees to explore our achievements and join the conversation about the practical applications and potential growth
of CV in NICOS.
[1] https://mambaproject.cz/alsa
[2] "Six-axis robotic arm driver: Zoning out with Frappy and NICOS", poster, Štěpán Venclík, MLZ users 2023
[3] Brandl, Georg, et al., 10th International Workshop on Personal Computers and Particle Accelerator Controls. No. IMPULSE-2014-00016. FZJ, 2014.
