Build automated manufacturing systems that can sense conditions, move material, communicate between machines, monitor equipment health, and improve performance using data.
Unit 1 programming skills are prerequisites. Unit 2 applies them to increasingly connected manufacturing systems.
| Lesson | Title | Focus | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activity 2.1.1 | Anatomy of an Automated Workcell | Workcell architecture, controller roles, inputs, outputs, and system flow. | Open Lesson |
| Activity 2.1.2 | Workcell Safety & Operating States | Safe operating states, guarding, signal towers, and controlled responses. | Open Lesson |
| Activity 2.1.3 | Optical Sensing & Color Detection | Optical sensing, hue data, calibration, and reliable color detection. | Open Lesson |
| Activity 2.1.4 | Sensor-Based Decision Logic | Apply Unit 1 conditionals to real sensor-driven decisions and fail-safe behavior. | Open Lesson |
| Activity 2.1.5 | Conveyor Systems & Feedback Control | Conveyor sequencing, object detection, and open- versus closed-loop control. | Open Lesson |
| Activity 2.1.6 | Pneumatics & Automated Actuation | Pneumatic circuits, cylinders, diverters, loaders, and sensor-coordinated actuation. | Open Lesson |
| Project 2.1.7 | Automated Sorting Challenge | Integrate sensing, conveyors, arm movement, and routing in a connected sorting system. | Open Lesson |
| Activity 2.2.1 | Machine Vision & AI Vision Sensor | Configure AI vision, tune signatures, read AprilTags, and use position data. | Open Lesson |
| Activity 2.2.2 | External Sensors: Analog & Digital | Connect non-VEX sensors, distinguish analog/digital data, and collect measurements. | Open Lesson |
| Activity 2.2.3 | Sensor Monitoring & Automated Response | Monitor conditions and trigger alarms or automatic responses to abnormal states. | Open Lesson |
| Project 2.2.4 | Workcell Handshaking & Verified Movement | Use MessageLink and sensor verification to coordinate connected workcells. | Open Lesson |
| Activity 2.3.1 | Predictive Maintenance & Motor Health | Interpret motor and manufacturing data to detect developing equipment problems. | Open Lesson |
| Activity 2.3.2 | Design of Experiments & Workcell Optimization | Use factorial DOE to test interacting settings and optimize performance. | Open Lesson |
| Project 2.3.3 | Optimization Impact Study | Evaluate optimization trade-offs using maintenance, downtime, throughput, cost, and yield. | Open Lesson |
| Problem 2.4.1 | Coordinated Workcell System Challenge | Coordinate and optimize a multi-workcell manufacturing system as the Unit 2 capstone. | Open Lesson |
Combine multiple VEX CTE Workcells into one synchronized manufacturing system. Route products, verify state with sensors and communication, optimize performance using structured experimentation, and develop a predictive-maintenance plan.
Open Unit Challenge