diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index c7f43ddc..2f97a85e 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ dependencies = [
     "psi-pshell==2.1.0",
     "bec_lib>=3.130.3",
     "bec-ipython-client>=3.130.3",
-    "aarescan-client==1.0.0rc5",
+    "aarescan-client>=1.0.0rc14",
     "aarelcinfer-client==0.1.1a8",
     "matplotlib>=3.10.3",
     "httpx>=0.28.1",
diff --git a/src/aare/daq/daq.py b/src/aare/daq/daq.py
index 4f301e4e..f41cadad 100644
--- a/src/aare/daq/daq.py
+++ b/src/aare/daq/daq.py
@@ -956,7 +956,7 @@ class AareDAQ:
         sample_id = getattr(sample, "db_id", None)
 
         logger.exception(
-            "Operation failed",
+            f"Operation {operation.value} failed with error {error}",
             extra={
                 "operation": operation.value,
                 "event_type": str(event_type),
@@ -965,6 +965,8 @@ class AareDAQ:
                 "additional_comment": additional_comment,
             },
         )
+        logger.warning("cleaning up detector state after failed operation...")
+        self._jfjoch.cancel(wait_for_done=True)
 
         if sample is None or sample_id is None:
             logger.error(f"Error in {operation.value}: {error}")
@@ -1236,6 +1238,15 @@ class AareDAQ:
                 success=False, payload=payload, error=e, comment=additional_comment
             )
 
+    def _validate_grid_params(self, request: RasterGridRequest):
+        self._devs.aerotech.validate_grid_scan(
+            grid_elem_size_y_um=request.grid_size_mm.y * 1000,
+            grid_elem_size_x_um=request.grid_size_mm.x * 1000,
+            grid_elem_count_x=request.n_x,
+            grid_elem_count_y=request.n_y,
+            time_sec=request.exp_time_s,
+        )
+
     def _execute_raster_sequence(
         self, grid_request: RasterGridRequest, auto_center: bool = False
     ) -> CompletedRasterGrid | None:
@@ -1377,6 +1388,27 @@ class AareDAQ:
             )
             return None
 
+    def _validate_rotation_params(self, request: RotationScanRequest):
+        total_time = request.exp_time_s * request.steps
+        logger.debug("Validating rotation parameters with AareScan")
+        if request.screening:
+            if request.wedge_omega_deg is None:
+                raise ValueError("Must supply a wedge angle for screening requests")
+            self._devs.aerotech.validate_screening_scan(
+                rotation_deg=request.incr_omega_deg,
+                wedge_deg=request.wedge_omega_deg,
+                time_sec=total_time,
+                steps=request.steps,
+                run_async=True,
+            )
+        else:
+            self._devs.aerotech.rotation_scan(
+                rotation_deg=request.steps * request.incr_omega_deg,
+                time_sec=total_time,
+                start_pos_deg=request.start_omega_deg,
+                run_async=True,
+            )
+
     def _execute_rotation_sequence(
         self, rotation_request: RotationScanRequest
     ) -> CompletedRotationScan | None:
@@ -1394,6 +1426,7 @@ class AareDAQ:
             logger.warning(f"Exposure shorter than default of {min_exp_time} s! Adjusting.")
             rotation_request.exp_time_s = min_exp_time
         try:
+            self._validate_rotation_params(rotation_request)
             return self._create_rotation_service().run(rotation_request)
         except JFJochCommunicationError as e:
             logger.error(f"Rotation sequence failed due to JFJoch Communication error: {e}")
@@ -1990,74 +2023,6 @@ class AareDAQ:
             self._set_state(BeamlineStateEnum.SampleAlignment)
             raise
 
-    def _rotation(self, request: RotationScanRequest) -> CompletedRotationScan:
-        omega_start = self.omega
-        status = self.status
-
-        if request.exp_time_s < 0.004:
-            logger.warning("Exposure time too short for PXII rotation scan")
-            request.exp_time_s = 0.004
-        total_time = request.exp_time_s * request.steps
-        if self.sample is not None and self.sample.db_id is not None:
-            self._aare.create_rotation_run(self.sample, request, status)
-
-        if not self._cfg.simulated_detector:
-            try:
-                self._jfjoch.wait_till_running(timeout=60.0)
-            except Exception as e:
-                self._raise_if_critical_jfjoch_detector_error(e, command="wait_till_running")
-                raise
-        try:
-            if request.screening:
-                self._devs.aerotech.screening_scan(
-                    rotation_deg=request.steps * request.incr_omega_deg,
-                    wedge_deg=request.wedge_omega_deg,
-                    time_sec=total_time,
-                    steps=request.steps,
-                    run_async=True,
-                )
-            else:
-                self._devs.aerotech.rotation_scan(
-                    rotation_deg=request.steps * request.incr_omega_deg,
-                    time_sec=total_time,
-                    start_pos_deg=request.start_omega_deg,
-                    run_async=True,
-                )
-
-                # Is this for helical scans...? do we do smargon scans?
-                if request.start is not None and request.end is not None:
-                    smargon_time_step = request.exp_time_s / float(request.steps)
-                    pos_step = (request.end.sh_mm - request.start.sh_mm) * (
-                        1.0 / float(request.steps)
-                    )
-
-                    for i in range(request.steps):
-                        self._devs.smargon.target = SmargonCoordinate(
-                            sh_mm=request.start.sh_mm + pos_step * i
-                        )
-                        time.sleep(smargon_time_step)
-
-            self._devs.aerotech.wait_till_done(timeout=int(round(total_time + 60, 0)))
-            self._devs.aerotech_omega = omega_start
-
-            if self._cfg.simulated_detector:
-                logger.warning("Detector in simulation mode, returning fake zero rotation result.")
-                return self._build_fake_rotation_result(request)
-            else:
-                try:
-                    scan_result = self._jfjoch.wait_till_done(60)
-                except Exception as e:
-                    self._raise_if_critical_jfjoch_detector_error(e, command="wait_till_done")
-                    raise
-                return CompletedRotationScan(request=copy.deepcopy(request), result=scan_result)
-
-        except JFJochCommunicationError as e:
-            logger.error(f"Exception during rotation scan related to JFJoch: {e}")
-            raise
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f"Exception during rotation scan: {e}")
-            raise
-
     def measure_rotation(self, request: RotationScanRequest) -> CompletedRotationScan:
         """
         Execute a rotation scan.
diff --git a/src/aare/daq/operations/raster/service.py b/src/aare/daq/operations/raster/service.py
index 6715e7f4..c0d26b69 100644
--- a/src/aare/daq/operations/raster/service.py
+++ b/src/aare/daq/operations/raster/service.py
@@ -421,19 +421,12 @@ class RasterService:
             if self.ctx.sample is not None and self.ctx.sample.db_id is not None:
                 self.ctx.deps.aare.create_gridscan_run(self.ctx.sample, request, status)
 
-            if not self.ctx.deps.cfg.simulated_detector:
-                self.ctx.deps.jfjoch.wait_till_running(timeout=60.0)
-            else:
-                self.logger.info("Simulated detector mode enabled; faking jfjoch intilalisation.")
+            self.ctx.deps.jfjoch.wait_till_running(timeout=60.0)
 
             self.logger.debug(
                 f"Starting grid scan with {request.n_x}x{request.n_y} points, exp time {request.exp_time_s}s"
             )
-            if not self.ctx.deps.cfg.simulated_detector:
-                # The detector move (sa2dc) is non-blocking; ensure it has reached
-                # the requested distance before triggering the scan, so data is
-                # collected at the dtz already reported to JFJoch/DB.
-                self.ctx.deps.devs.set_dtz(request.dtz, wait=True)
+            self.ctx.deps.devs.set_dtz(request.dtz, wait=True)
             self.ctx.deps.devs.aerotech.grid_scan(
                 grid_elem_size_y_um=request.grid_size_mm.y * 1000,
                 grid_elem_size_x_um=request.grid_size_mm.x * 1000,
@@ -747,12 +740,9 @@ class RasterService:
         grid.omega_deg = geom.omega_deg
 
         status = self.ctx.status
-        if not self.ctx.deps.cfg.simulated_detector:
-            self.logger.info("initialise detector")
-            self.ctx.deps.jfjoch.measure_raster(grid, status)
-            self.logger.info("detector initialised")
-        else:
-            self.logger.info("Simulated detector mode enabled; using fake raster result.")
+        self.logger.info("initialise detector")
+        self.ctx.deps.jfjoch.measure_raster(grid, status)
+        self.logger.info("detector initialised")
 
         if self.ctx.services.state is None:
             raise RuntimeError("RasterService requires services.state")
diff --git a/src/aare/devices/aerotech.py b/src/aare/devices/aerotech.py
index 3eac3bec..45da1694 100644
--- a/src/aare/devices/aerotech.py
+++ b/src/aare/devices/aerotech.py
@@ -190,10 +190,7 @@ class AerotechController:
             start_pos_deg=start_pos_deg,
             run_async=run_async,
         )
-        logger.debug(f"Payload sent to AareScan for rotation: {payload}")
-        if self._simulated:
-            return payload
-
+        logger.debug(f"Payload sent to AareScan for rotation execution: {payload}")
         try:
             return self._api.rotation_scan_post(payload)
         except Exception as e:
@@ -204,6 +201,26 @@ class AerotechController:
                 operation="POST",
             ) from e
 
+    def validate_rotation_scan(
+        self, rotation_deg: float, time_sec: float, start_pos_deg: float, run_async: bool = False
+    ):
+        payload = RotationRequest(
+            rotation_deg=rotation_deg,
+            time_sec=time_sec,
+            start_pos_deg=start_pos_deg,
+            run_async=run_async,
+        )
+        logger.debug(f"Payload sent to AareScan for validating rotation: {payload}")
+        try:
+            return self._api.validate_rotation_scan_post(payload)
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise AerotechCommunicationError(
+                f"Aerotech rotation scan failed validation: {e}",
+                endpoint="rotation_scan_post",
+                base_url=self._base,
+                operation="POST",
+            ) from e
+
     def grid_scan(
         self,
         grid_elem_count_y: int,
@@ -221,14 +238,44 @@ class AerotechController:
             time_sec=time_sec,
             run_async=run_async,
         )
-        logger.debug(f"Payload sent to AareScan for grid_scan: {payload}")
+        logger.debug(f"Payload sent to AareScan for grid_scan execution: {payload}")
         if self._simulated:
             return payload
         try:
             return self._api.grid_scan_post(payload)
         except Exception as e:
             raise AerotechCommunicationError(
-                "Aerotech grid scan failed",
+                f"Aerotech grid scan failed: {e}",
+                endpoint="grid_scan_post",
+                base_url=self._base,
+                operation="POST",
+            ) from e
+
+    def validate_grid_scan(
+        self,
+        grid_elem_count_y: int,
+        grid_elem_size_y_um: float,
+        time_sec: float,
+        grid_elem_size_x_um: float,
+        grid_elem_count_x: int,
+        run_async: bool | None = False,
+    ):
+        payload = GridRequest(
+            grid_elem_count_x=grid_elem_count_x,
+            grid_elem_count_y=grid_elem_count_y,
+            grid_elem_size_x_um=grid_elem_size_x_um,
+            grid_elem_size_y_um=grid_elem_size_y_um,
+            time_sec=time_sec,
+            run_async=run_async,
+        )
+        logger.debug(f"Payload sent to AareScan for grid_scan validation: {payload}")
+        if self._simulated:
+            return payload
+        try:
+            return self._api.validate_grid_scan_post(payload)
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise AerotechCommunicationError(
+                f"Aerotech grid scan validation failed: {e}",
                 endpoint="grid_scan_post",
                 base_url=self._base,
                 operation="POST",
@@ -252,7 +299,7 @@ class AerotechController:
         if self._simulated:
             return payload
         try:
-            logger.info("sending screening scan request to aerotech")
+            logger.info(f"sending screening scan request to aerotech with payload {payload}")
             return self._api.screening_post(payload)
         except Exception as e:
             raise AerotechCommunicationError(
@@ -262,6 +309,34 @@ class AerotechController:
                 operation="POST",
             ) from e
 
+    def validate_screening_scan(
+        self,
+        rotation_deg: float,
+        wedge_deg: float,
+        time_sec: float,
+        steps: int,
+        run_async: bool = False,
+    ):
+        payload = ScreenRequest(
+            rotation_deg=rotation_deg,
+            wedge_deg=wedge_deg,
+            time_sec=time_sec,
+            steps=steps,
+            run_async=run_async,
+        )
+        try:
+            logger.info(
+                f"sending screening scan request to aarescan for validation with payload {payload}"
+            )
+            return self._api.screening_post(payload)
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise AerotechCommunicationError(
+                f"Aerotech screening validation failed: {e}",
+                endpoint="screening_post",
+                base_url=self._base,
+                operation="POST",
+            ) from e
+
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     beamline = mx_beamline()
diff --git a/src/aare/devices/jfjoch.py b/src/aare/devices/jfjoch.py
index 163a04c8..2d6d49fa 100644
--- a/src/aare/devices/jfjoch.py
+++ b/src/aare/devices/jfjoch.py
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ class JFJochWrapper:
             ) from e
 
     @needs_init
-    def cancel(self, on_init: bool = False):
+    def cancel(self, on_init: bool = False, wait_for_done: bool = False):
         try:
             self._api.cancel_post()
         except Exception as e:
@@ -124,6 +124,8 @@ class JFJochWrapper:
                 operation="POST",
                 endpoint="cancel_post",
             ) from e
+        if wait_for_done:
+            self._api.wait_till_done_post(1)
 
     @needs_init
     def is_idle(self) -> bool:
diff --git a/src/aare/devices/tell_client.py b/src/aare/devices/tell_client.py
index 102f981e..baccfd14 100644
--- a/src/aare/devices/tell_client.py
+++ b/src/aare/devices/tell_client.py
@@ -425,7 +425,6 @@ class TellClient:
 
     def get_mounted_sample(self) -> SampleDewarAddress | None:
         ret = self.get_setting("mounted_sample_position").strip()
-        logger.debug(f"Get TELL setting 'mounted_sample_position' returned: {ret}")
         if not ret:
             return None