Nanomechanical Testing

TI 990 Advanced Automation Interface

Connect nanomechanical characterization to the future of materials discovery

Integrate TI 990 into Automated, Unattended Workflows

As materials research and industrial testing move toward higher-throughput workflows, instrument operation must scale with them. The TI 990 Advanced Automation Interface enables the Hysitron TI 990 TriboIndenter® to operate as part of a connected, automated laboratory workflow through a TCP/IP-based software interface.

External software can schedule, execute, and monitor test campaigns while receiving status updates and results in real time. By reducing manual intervention and enabling unattended operation, laboratories can increase throughput and incorporate nanomechanical characterization into broader research, development, and quality-control workflows.

External automation software executes TI 990 experiments and streams results and status in real time.
Features

Built for Automated Nanomechanical Testing


The Advanced Automation Interface connects TI 990 to an external host through standard TCP/IP communication. A documented command set enables host software to execute automated test workflows while exchanging status and measurement results with the instrument.

External software manages workflow orchestration while TI 990 maintains its native control architecture, including feedback systems, calibration routines, and safety interlocks. This allows laboratories to scale automated nanomechanical characterization while preserving instrument performance and measurement integrity.
 

The Advanced Automation Interface enables TI 990 to:

  • Integrate with Existing Automation Systems—Connect with existing laboratory automation software, orchestration platforms, and custom applications using documented commands and development tools.
  • Execute Automated Workflows—Run pre-defined methods and multi-step method chains under host control.
  • Scale Large Testing Campaigns—Import position groups, manage workspaces, and execute unattended testing across large sample sets.
  • Monitor Progress in Real Time—Track campaign status, test progress, and measurement results throughout execution.
  • Recover from Interruptions—Pause and resume campaigns and automatically return to Manual Mode if host communication is interrupted.

What's Included?

Bruker provides the Advanced Automation Interface, documented command set, Python libraries, and example starter code to support integration with common programming environments and automation platforms.

Customers can connect the interface to their own automation software, workflow logic, robotics, and AI platforms - or solutions from third-party providers. This flexible approach allows laboratories to integrate TI 990 within existing automation architectures and software ecosystems.

Applications

Accelerating Materials Discovery and Production Testing

The Advanced Automation Interface enables TI 990 to operate as part of a wide range of automated research and testing environments.

By providing a standardized communication layer between the instrument and external software, it supports applications ranging from high-throughput screening and laboratory automation to adaptive experimentation and automated quality control.

Discovery and R&D

High-Throughput Materials Screening

Evaluate large sample libraries, compositions, processing conditions, and microstructures through automated, repeatable testing workflows.
Discovery and R&D

Automated Research Workflows

Integrate nanomechanical characterization into connected materials discovery workflows spanning sample preparation, testing, and analysis.
Discovery and R&D

Adaptive and Closed-Loop Experimentation

Enable external software to analyze results and automatically select subsequent test locations, methods, or experimental conditions.
Production and QC

Automated Quality Control

Support unattended testing for process monitoring, benchmarking, and quality-control applications.
Production and QC

Multi-Instrument and Robotic Systems

Coordinate TI 990 with robotic sample-handling systems and other automated instrumentation.
Production and QC

Standardized Screening and Benchmarking

Execute consistent measurement protocols across large sample populations to support process optimization and product qualification.
TI 990 Advanced Automation Interface FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Advanced Automation Interface work?

The Advanced Automation Interface establishes a standard TCP/IP connection between TI 990 and an external host computer. Through a documented command set, host software can execute automated test workflows while exchanging status and results information with the instrument.

While external software manages workflow orchestration, TI 990 maintains its native control architecture, including feedback systems, calibration routines, and safety interlocks. This allows laboratories to automate and scale nanomechanical characterization while preserving instrument performance and measurement integrity.

Is this available for existing TI 990 systems?

Yes. The Remote Automation Interface is offered as an optional upgrade for all TI 990 TriboIndenter systems and can be installed on existing instruments.

Does this include automation or AI software?

No. Bruker provides the host interface, documentation, and example code required to enable external control. Customers may develop or integrate their own automation, data-analysis, and AI-based workflows using their preferred software environment.

Will automated operation affect performance?

No. The interface operates through the instrument's existing control architecture, preserving measurement performance, repeatability, calibration processes, and safety systems while enabling host-directed workflow coordination.

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