Cryo-con 34 temperature controller (PICA Cryocon34Backend) — device market

Install

Three ways to run this device. Each one serves its fake backend: no instrument, no simulator install and no upstream checkout.

OpenAI4S (one command)

shell

openai4s lab add labs/prathameshnium__pica-python-instrument-control-and-automation

Installs the device into the OpenAI4S Lab on its fake backend and starts it. First time? See setup below.

Or, in the workbench, open the Lab tab → Market → Install.

Standalone MHS endpoint

shell

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/PKU-YuanGroup/OpenMHS.git && cd OpenMHS
PYTHONPATH=MHS/sdk/src python3 -m mhs serve labs/prathameshnium__pica-python-instrument-control-and-automation --port 7400
# in a second terminal, from the same directory:
PYTHONPATH=MHS/sdk/src python3 -m mhs describe --endpoint http://127.0.0.1:7400

Serves the device as an MHS endpoint on port 7400 from an OpenMHS clone (Python 3.10 or later, standard library only); describe prints what it offers.

Any MCP host (Claude Desktop, Cursor, …)

mcp configuration

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pica-python-instrument-control-and-automation": {
      "command": "python3",
      "args": [
        "-m",
        "mhs",
        "serve",
        "labs/prathameshnium__pica-python-instrument-control-and-automation",
        "--mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PYTHONPATH": "/path/to/OpenMHS/MHS/sdk/src"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add this server to the host's MCP configuration and replace /path/to/OpenMHS with the path of your OpenMHS clone. The host starts the server and talks to it on stdin and stdout.

What it does

Measures

temperature
control_engaged
heater_readback
ramp_rate
input_units
source_units
input_name
alarm_status
alarm
ambient
idn
error_queue
display_resolution
lockout
factory_sensor_index

Adjusts

setpoint
loop_type
loop_source
max_power
max_setpoint
manual_power
display_time_constant
load

Actions

control_engage: Engage every enabled control loop at the configured setpoint (native CONTROL)
control_stop: Disengage all control loops and disconnect the heaters (native STOP), the safe state

Names as the driver declares them. Units, limits and the safety declaration are in the package's REFERENCE.md.

First-time setup

The OpenAI4S workbench with the OpenMHS lab, from a source checkout:

shell

# OpenAI4S workbench with the OpenMHS lab (source checkout)
git clone --recursive https://github.com/PKU-YuanGroup/OpenAI4S.git
cd OpenAI4S && ./setup.sh && source .venv/bin/activate
openai4s lab add labs/prathameshnium__pica-python-instrument-control-and-automation
openai4s serve        # open the Lab tab

The standalone endpoint and the MCP server need only an OpenMHS clone and Python 3.10 or later. More in the market's getting-started guide and on the OpenAI4S host page.

Source and evidence

Upstream: prathameshnium/pica-python-instrument-control-and-automation
Pinned commit: 17ce57d76e67
Licence: MIT
Stars: 12
Evidence: contract_checked on the fake backend
Backends: fake, hardware

The driver package MHS/drivers/labs/prathameshnium__pica-python-instrument-control-and-automation wraps the upstream code at the pinned commit. Its REFERENCE.md documents the full contract: every value, action, unit, limit and the safety declaration.