QuickStart

Creating Robotic Workflows: ExpFlow

All robotic workflows are created from ExpFlow Robotic Workflows. ExpFlow is a D3TaLES tool that allows researchers to systematically encode their experimental procedures through an intuitive graphical interface. For more information about ExpFlow in general see the ExpFlow Documentation

A user may create an ExpFlow Template, then use that template to generate an ExpFlow Robotic Workflow. For a tutorial on creating an ExpFlow Template and Robotic Workflow for the purpose of this robotic system, see ExpFlow Robotic Workflows This Robotic Workflow can then be downloaded as a JSON file to the Robotics Workstation. (It is recommended that you store downloaded workflows in the downloaded_wfs folder.) A downloaded Robotic Workflow JSON file may be loaded and readied for robotic action through the D3TaLES Robotics app. For a tutorial on loading an ExpFlow Robotic Workflow file with the Robotics App, see Loading a workflow.

Managing Robotic Workflows

Users can monitor loaded Workflows through the FireWorks WebGUI. This can be launched either through the command line (lpad webgui) like noted in the FireWorks docs or through the Robotics App (see Monitoring workflows with FireWorks WebGUI).

The robotic workflows are managed via FireWorks. If you are not familiar with Fireworks, it is highly recommended that you review the structure of FireWorks to better understand this system. Many operations to manage your robotic workflows can be implemented directly via the FireWorks lpad and rlaunch commands.

Alternatively, the robotic system can be managed via the D3TaLES Robotics app. This can be launched from the icon Robotics Workstation desktop page.

Running an Experiment…

Now it’s time to run the robotic experiment! Be sure to follow the Robot Run Checklist whenever running the robot!