At RHK Technology, we’re always looking for ways to make our customers’ lives easier and their work more productive through innovation. Sometimes, the simplest solutions can make a dramatic difference in a researcher’s workflow, and we love when we get to play a part in those key opportunities.
Recently, we were presented with a unique challenge by one of our customers. This researcher was working with a highly specialized low-temperature microscope, but there was a catch: the device had no optical access to the tip and sample. So, approaching the microscope (bringing it into close proximity with the sample) meant waiting for an unknown and highly variable amount of time. Imagine having to wait, with no clear idea of when the system would be ready for the next step.
Now, most of us have the benefit of working in the same space as our equipment, but not this researcher. His office space was located away from the lab, which meant frequent trips back and forth just to check if the approach phase had finished. These journeys, each time-consuming and often ending with disappointing results quickly added up in lost productivity.
A Simple, Elegant Request
He reached out to us with a straightforward question… “Could RHK devise a system to remotely notify him when the approach was complete, saving him from constant interruptions and time-consuming wasted trips?” As someone already experienced with LabVIEW for automating lab tasks, he hoped we could integrate a notification solution utilizing tools he already felt comfortable with.
Turning an Idea Into a Timesaving Solution
Our team was intrigued and jumped at the opportunity. We got to work, modifying his approach procedure using Iconic Hardware Description Language (IHDL) and incorporating a LabVIEW Virtual Instrument (VI) that would, upon completion of the approach, automatically trigger an email notification.
This wasn’t a flashy upgrade or a major overhaul…in fact, to an industry outsider, it might seem minor. But for this researcher, it made a huge impact on his time. Now, he can focus on his office-related tasks and only head to the lab when his microscope is ready for him. No more wasted time…and a lot more peace of mind.
Small Innovations Matter
At RHK Technology, these are the types of solutions we’re passionate about. Technology doesn’t always need to be disruptive or overtly complex to make a big difference. Sometimes, it’s making just the right adjustment, custom designed to serve the unique needs of a researcher, that leads to the most tangible and rewarding results.
If you’ve got a challenge, big or small, we’re here to help.
—RHK General Manager Kenneth Kollin & the RHK Technology Team