AutoProber

AutoProber is the hardware hacker's flying probe automation stack for giving your agent everything it needs to go from "there's a new target on the plate" to probing individual pins in a safe way.

Demo video:

Flow

1. Tell the agent to ingest the project.

2. Connect all the hardware.

3. Tell the agent to confirm that all parts are functioning.

4. Have it run homing and then calibration.

5. Attach the custom probe and microscope header.

6. Tell the agent that there is a new target on the plate.

7. It will find where the target is on the plate, then take individual frames, keeping a record of the XYZ while noting pads, pins, chips, and other interesting features.

8. It will stitch the frames together and annotate the map, including pins and interesting components it identified.

9. It will add probe targets to the web dashboard for you to approve or deny.

10. It will probe the approved targets and report back.

All hardware can be controlled through the web dashboard, Python scripts, or by the agent itself.

This repo is a self-contained source-available release candidate. It contains the Python control code, dashboard, CAD files, and documentation needed to create your own AutoProber.

Safety Model

This project can move physical hardware. Treat it as a machine-control system, not a normal web app.

The required safety design is:

• GRBL Pn:P is ignored. The CNC probe pin is not a trusted endstop.
• The independent safety endstop is read from oscilloscope Channel 4.
• Channel 4 must be continuously monitored during any motion.
• Any Channel 4 trigger, ambiguous voltage, CNC alarm, or real X/Y/Z limit pin is a stop condition.
• The agent/operator must stop and report. Recovery motion is not automatic.

Read docs/safety.md and docs/operations.md before running hardware.

Repository Layout

apps/                 Operator-facing scripts and Flask dashboard entrypoint
autoprober/           Reusable Python package for CNC, scope, microscope, logging, safety
dashboard/            Single-page web dashboard
docs/                 Architecture, device references, operations, and safety guidance
cad/                  Printable STL files for the current custom toolhead
config/               Example environment/configuration files
AGENTS.md             Agent/operator safety rules
LICENSE               PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 license and commercial contact
pyproject.toml        Python project metadata
uv.lock               Locked Python dependency resolution

Hardware Stack

The tested project architecture uses:

• GRBL-compatible 3018-style CNC controller over USB serial
• USB microscope served by mjpg_streamer
• Siglent oscilloscope over LAN/SCPI for Channel 4 safety monitoring and Channel 1 measurement
• Optical endstop wired to an external 5V supply and oscilloscope Channel 4
• Optional network-controlled outlet for lab power control
• Current printable