diff --git a/src/aare/daq/daq.py b/src/aare/daq/daq.py
index 6f7f9da9..f489afee 100644
--- a/src/aare/daq/daq.py
+++ b/src/aare/daq/daq.py
@@ -1742,45 +1742,45 @@ class AareDAQ:
                                 )
                             self.save_screenshot_db(sample_id, f"{sample_id}_{angle}_{zoom_value:.0f}")
 
-                    if targets_found_this_attempt == 0:
-                        logger.error(f"No targets found in this attempt {attempt}")
-                        raise LoopCenteringFailed
-
-                    else:
+                    # if targets_found_this_attempt == 0:
+                    #     logger.error(f"No targets found in this attempt {attempt}")
+                    #     raise LoopCenteringFailed
+                    #
+                    # else:
+                        # if targets_found_this_attempt >= len(base_angles):
+                        #     logger.debug(
+                        #         f"sucessfully found {targets_found_this_attempt} targets in attempt {attempt + 1} ")
+                        #     break
+                        #if found_flag is not None and found_angle is not None:
+                    logger.debug(f"found a target at angle {found_angle} in attempt {attempt + 1}")
+                    base_angles = (0, 90)
+                    logger.debug(f"new base angles: {base_angles}")
+                    attempt += 1
+                    logger.debug(f"attempt {attempt} of {max_attempt}")
+                    if attempt >= max_attempt:
                         if targets_found_this_attempt >= len(base_angles):
                             logger.debug(
                                 f"sucessfully found {targets_found_this_attempt} targets in attempt {attempt + 1} ")
                             break
-                        if found_flag is not None and found_angle is not None:
-                            logger.debug(f"found a target at angle {found_angle} in attempt {attempt + 1}")
-                            base_angles = (found_angle, found_angle + 45)
-                            logger.debug(f"new base angles: {base_angles}")
-                            attempt += 1
-                            logger.debug(f"attempt {attempt} of {max_attempt}")
-                        if attempt >= max_attempt:
-                            logger.error(f"{attempt} exceeds max attempts {max_attempt}")
-                            raise LoopCenteringFailed
+                        logger.error(f"{attempt} exceeds max attempts {max_attempt}")
+                        logger.debug(f"time to loop center: {time.perf_counter() - start}")
+                        raise LoopCenteringFailed
 
                 #i += 1
             logger.debug("alc success")
             logger.debug(f"current sample: {self.__cfg.current_sample}, sample_id of scan: {sample_id}")
-            self.__aare.sample_centered(self.__cfg.current_sample)
             if sample_id is not None:
                 logger.info(f"sample {sample_id} centered")
-                self.save_screenshot_db(sample_id, f"{sample_id}_centered")
                 self._append_smargon_trace(sample_id=sample_id, event="alc_success")
             logger.debug(f"time to loop center: {time.perf_counter() - start}")
-            return True
+            return LoopCenteringResult(success=True)
 
         except Exception as e:
             total_detections = sum(found_classes_count.values())
             if total_detections == 0:
-                logger.error("ALC: No objects found in any zoom")
-                self.__aare.alc_failed(self.sample, alc_comment="No objects detected")
+                alc_comment="No objects detected"
             else:
-                self.__aare.alc_failed(
-                    self.sample,
-                    alc_comment=(
+                alc_comment = (
                         "Failed to centre but detected objects - "
                         f"Crystal: {found_classes_count.get(2, 0)}, "
                         f"Loop_face: {found_classes_count.get(3, 0)}, "
@@ -1788,27 +1788,23 @@ class AareDAQ:
                         f"Pin: {found_classes_count.get(1, 0)}, "
                         f"Ice: {found_classes_count.get(4, 0)}, "
                         f"Needle: {found_classes_count.get(5, 0)}"
-                    ),
-                )
-                logger.error("Failed to centre but detected objects - "
-                        f"Crystal: {found_classes_count.get(2,0)}, "
-                        f"Loop_face: {found_classes_count.get(3,0)}, "
-                        f"Loop_all: {found_classes_count.get(0,0)}, "
-                        f"Pin: {found_classes_count.get(1,0)}, "
-                        f"Ice: {found_classes_count.get(4,0)}, "
-                        f"Needle: {found_classes_count.get(5,0)}")
-                logger.error(traceback.format_exc())
-
+                    )
+            logger.error(f"ALC exception: {alc_comment}")
+            logger.error(traceback.format_exc())
             logger.error(f"Error in loop centering: {e}")
-            return False
+            return LoopCenteringResult(
+                success=False,
+                comment=alc_comment,
+                error=e
+            )
 
-    def auto_loop_center(self, sample_id: int | None = None) -> float:
+    def auto_loop_center(self, sample:Optional[SampleShortInfo]=None) -> float:
         """
         Automatically center the loop using ML-based detection.
         This performs a multi-step sequence including rotation and centering.
 
         Args:
-            sample_id: Optional database ID of the sample. If None, uses current sample.
+            sample: the current SampleShortInfo. If None, the current sample (self.sample) is used.
 
         Returns:
             Time taken for the centering process (seconds)
@@ -1819,10 +1815,14 @@ class AareDAQ:
         start = time.perf_counter()
         try:
             self.__cfg.try_set_busy(timeout=360)
-            if sample_id is None:
-                sample_id = self.__cfg.current_sample.db_id
+            if sample is None:
+                if self.sample is None:
+                    raise LoopCenteringFailed("No sample available for loop centering."
+                                              "If you have mounted a manual sample,"
+                                              "please add it in the manual sample panel.")
+                sample = self.sample
 
-            if not self._execute_loop_centering(sample_id):
+            if not self._execute_loop_centering(sample):
                 raise LoopCenteringFailed
 
             self.__cfg.state_busy = False