Fixing Joints to Master the V5 Workcell

This video will walk you through fixing joins on the V5 Workcell in order to master it. 

This video is from VEX Professional Development Plus. Learn more about PD+.


Steps from the video are found below:

WARNING: to avoid damaging the Workcell, do NOT use the ‘TARGET’ option in the ‘Arm Install’ project once the arm is attached to the base of the Workcell. Doing so can cause permanent damage to the Workcell structure.

Diagram of the V5 Workcell setup for Career and Technical Education, illustrating the arrangement of components and connections necessary for proper configuration.


Fixing Joint 1

If Joint 1 is failing, follow these steps to fix it:

Diagram illustrating the setup of a V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing key components and their arrangement for optimal functionality.

  1. Check that the 3-wire cables are fully inserted into the Brain.

Diagram illustrating the setup of the V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing key components and their arrangement for optimal functionality.

  1. Check that each Potentiometer is inserted into the 3-Wire Port defined in your code.

Diagram illustrating the setup of the V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing components and their arrangement for optimal functionality in robotics projects.

  1. Check that all 3-wire extension cables are fully connected and plugged in so they both have the same color orientation.

Diagram illustrating the setup of a V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing the arrangement of components and connections necessary for effective operation.

  1. Check that the Smart Cable that is attached to each motor is fully inserted into the Brain into the Smart Port defined in your code.

Diagram illustrating the setup of a V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing components and their arrangement to facilitate learning and robotics programming.

  1. Run the ‘Arm Install’ example project, and select ‘COAST.’ This will allow you to view the potentiometer values without locking or moving the motors. DO NOT SELECT TARGET, as this could damage your Workcell.

Diagram illustrating the components of the Arm Pot in the V5 Workcell setup, highlighting key parts and their functions for Career and Technical Education.

  1. View underneath the turntable on the arm of the Workcell to locate the shaft collar attached above the Joint 1 potentiometer. Loosen this shaft collar.

  1. Move the shaft down until it is no longer inside the center lock beam, but still keep it inserted into the potentiometer.

  1. Rotate the shaft as you view the potentiometer values for Joint 1 on the Brain’s screen. Continue to rotate the shaft until the Joint 1 potentiometer value is approximately 1800.

    Note: because the center lock beam has a square insert, you will need to rotate the shaft in 90 degree increments. You will see ‘PASS’ for any values between 1600 and 2000.

  1. Reinsert the shaft into the center lock beam. Ensure the potentiometer value is still within passing range on the Brain’s screen as you insert the shaft into the center lock beam.

Diagram illustrating the components of the Arm Pot in the V5 Workcell setup, highlighting key parts and their functions for Career and Technical Education.

  1. Once the shaft is reinserted securely into the center lock beam, reattach and tighten the shaft collar attached above the Joint 1 potentiometer underneath the turntable on the arm of the Workcell.

Fixing Joints 2 through 4

If one or more of Joints 2 through 4 are failing, follow these steps to fix it:

Diagram illustrating the setup of a V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing key components and their arrangement for optimal functionality.

  1. Ensure the cables are inserted correctly. Check that the 3-wire cables are fully inserted into the Brain.

Diagram illustrating the setup of the V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing key components and their arrangement for optimal functionality.

  1. Check that each Potentiometer is inserted into the 3-Wire Port defined in your code.

Diagram illustrating the setup of the V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing components and their arrangement for optimal functionality in robotics projects.

  1. Check that all 3-wire extension cables are fully connected and plugged in so they both have the same color orientation.

Diagram illustrating the setup of a V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing the arrangement of components and connections necessary for effective operation.

  1. Check that the Smart Cable that is attached to each motor is fully inserted into the Brain into the Smart Port defined in your code.

Diagram illustrating the setup of a V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing components and connections necessary for assembly and operation.

  1. Power off the Brain.

Screenshot of the V5 Workcell setup instructions, illustrating key components and connections for configuring the VEX V5 system in a Career and Technical Education context.

  1. Remove the mastering jig, and then detach the arm from the base and turntable.

Diagram illustrating the setup of a V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing components and connections necessary for assembly and operation.

  1. Power on the Brain.

Diagram illustrating the setup of a V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing the arrangement of components and connections necessary for proper functionality.

  1. Run the ‘Arm Install’ project and select ‘TARGET.’ This will move the motors so that the potentiometers are within their passing range.

Diagram illustrating the setup of a V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing the arrangement of components and connections needed for optimal functionality.

  1. The Brain’s display will now show that all of the joints are passing and within range ‘Y.’

Diagram illustrating the setup of a V5 Workcell for Career and Technical Education, showing components and their arrangement for optimal functionality.

  1. Once all of the joints are now in passing range, select ‘HOLD’ to hold the motors in place.

Screenshot of the V5 Workcell setup process, illustrating key components and configurations for Career and Technical Education (CTE) applications.

  1. Reattach the arm to the base while the motors are in the ‘HOLD’ position. Keep the mastering jig in the arm to help you reattach the arm to the base.

If none of the above troubleshooting steps work, please contact VEX support at support@vex.com.

For more information, help, and tips, check out the many resources at VEX Professional Development Plus

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