diff --git a/script/test/FindCenter.py b/script/test/FindCenter.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..34be1dc5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/script/test/FindCenter.py
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+"""
+automated sample finder (EXPERIMENTAL)
+"""
+
+import math
+
+# --- do not edit below ---
+
+RELATIVE = True
+LATENCY = 0.0
+ZIGZAG = False
+ENDSCAN = False
+
+adjust_sensors()
+set_adc_averaging()
+
+# time per scienta acquisition in seconds
+time1 = time.time()
+trig_scienta()
+time2 = time.time()
+scienta_time = (time2 - time1)
+print "scienta time: ", scienta_time
+
+SENSORS = (Counts, SampleCurrent, RefCurrent, MachineCurrent)
+MOTORS = (ManipulatorY)
+RANGE = (-5., +5.)
+STEP = 0.2
+MOTORS[0].move(0.)
+
+# time for one scan in seconds
+SPEED = STEP / scienta_time
+print "speed: ", SPEED
+fly_time = (RANGE[1] - RANGE[0]) / SPEED
+STEPS = int(fly_time / scienta_time) + 1
+print "scan time: ", fly_time
+
+result = cscan(MOTORS, SENSORS, RANGE[0], RANGE[1], STEPS, time=fly_time, before_read=before_readout, after_read = after_readout, check_positions = False)
+readable = result.getReadable(0)
+positions = result.getPositions(0)
+min_counts = min(readable)
+max_counts = max(readable)
+thresh = (max_counts - min_counts) / 2. + min_counts
+print "threshhold: ", thresh
+sample_positions = [pos for idx, pos in enumerate(positions) if counts[idx] >= thresh]
+lo_edge = min(sample_positions)
+hi_edge = max(sample_positions)
+print "low and high edge: ", lo_edge, ", ", hi_edge
+
+MOTORS[0].move(lo_edge)
+RANGE = (-0.4, +0.4)
+STEP = 0.01
+result = cscan(MOTORS, SENSORS, RANGE[0], RANGE[1], STEPS, time=fly_time, before_read=before_readout, after_read = after_readout, check_positions = False)
+
+
+MOTORS[0].move(hi_edge)
+RANGE = (-0.4, +0.4)
+STEP = 0.01
+result = cscan(MOTORS, SENSORS, RANGE[0], RANGE[1], STEPS, time=fly_time, before_read=before_readout, after_read = after_readout, check_positions = False)