Octopus provides ability to create control programmes for laboratory automation using Python 2.7 and Twisted, and real-time remote monitoring over http/websockets for running protocols.

It can provide a command-line interface for interacting with machines using virtual instrument interfaces, or for creating scripted protocols to be run.

It is primarily designed for flow chemistry equipment; it is designed to work by defining parameters to set for each virtual instrument interface, rather than by defining methods to be called.

$ sudo apt-get install python-setuptools
$ sudo apt-get install python-pip
$ sudo apt-get install python-dev

$ sudo pip install twisted
$ sudo pip install pyserial
$ sudo pip install crc16

One way to do this is to install to a directory within your home directory, and then add this directory to the Python Path.

For a Raspberry Pi computer, the standard user is pi. For other linux computers, substitute /home/pi for /home/[your user].

1. Make a directory /home/pi/lib/python if it does not exist.

2. Copy the two directories octopus and twisted to /home/pi/lib/python.

3. Create a file: /usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/my-path.pth containing the contents /home/pi/lib/python (or whichever path you have chosen).

Source: darmawan-salihun.blogspot.co.uk

$ python -m octopus

>>> reactor = vapourtec.R2R4(serial("/dev/ttyUSB0"), baudrate = 19200)
>>> reactor.power.value
off

>>> reactor.pump1.target.set(1000)
>>> reactor.power.set("on")
>>> reactor.power.value
on

>>> reactor.pump1.pressure.value
1866

• [Read the full documentation](doc/Octopus Documentation.md)

I recommend the use of GNU screen when running long experiments on a remote computer, to avoid having a network disconnection terminate the experiment. For a good introduction to screen, visit aperiodic.net.

For realtime remote monitoring, the interface server must be running. This runs by default on port 80, but this can be changed.

The server can run on the same computer as the control script, or a different one.

• [Installation and documentation](doc/Octopus Server.md)

• [Gilson](doc/Manufacturer - Gilson.md) - 506C Control Module, 233XL Sample Injector, 402 Syringe Pump, 151 UV/Vis.
• [Heidolph](doc/Manufacturer - Heidolph.md) - Hei-End Hotplate.
• [Kern](doc/Manufacturer - Kern.md) - PCB Balance
• [Knauer](doc/Manufacturer - Knauer.md) - K-120, S-100 HPLC pump.
• [Mettler Toledo](doc/Manufacturer - Mettler Toledo.md) - Balance, iC IR connector.
• [ThalesNano](doc/Manufacturer - ThalesNano.md) - H-Cube.
• [Vapourtec](doc/Manufacturer - Vapourtec.md) - R2+/R4.
• [VICI](doc/Manufacturer - Vici.md) - Multi-Position Valve.
• [World Precision Instruments](doc/Manufacturer - WPI.md) - Aladdin Syringe Pump.

Drivers for some Phidgets devices are available. Before use, the DLL and API must be installed.

• [Phidgets](doc/Manufacturer - Phidgets.md).

• [Installation of OpenCV and SimpleCV](doc/Installation - SimpleCV.md)