Matter Lab Mass Flow Controllers

matterlab_mfcs provides Python drivers for mass flow controllers used in Matter Lab automation workflows.

The first supported device family is Alicat instruments using the Modbus RTU manual bundled with this workspace.

Installation

Use the matterlab conda environment and install the package in editable mode during development:

pip install -e .[dev]

The package depends on matterlab_serial_device for serial communication.

Quick Start

from matterlab_mfcs import AlicatMFC

mfc = AlicatMFC(com_port="COM5", address=1)
print(mfc.firmware_version)
print(mfc.serial_number)
print(mfc.pressure)
print(mfc.temperature)

Testing

Unit tests are the default:

pytest

Real hardware validation is opt-in:

pytest tests/test_alicat_mfc_real.py --run-real --com-port COM5 --address 1

Notes

• Source code lives under src/
• Pytest uses src as the import root
• Real hardware tests are skipped unless explicitly enabled
• The Alicat Modbus CRC implementation matches the Modbus RTU framing validated against the local device on COM5
• Multi-read snapshots should live in scripts or tests, not inside the driver