Integrate multiple VEX CTE Workcells into one coordinated manufacturing system that senses, communicates, routes products, and is optimized using data.
Work toward the lesson goal: Coordinated Workcell System Challenge. Use the directions and success criteria in the activity below.
Materials
For the online work: a browser and your engineering notebook. Follow the activity’s materials list for any physical build, and get teacher approval before using equipment.
Plan your time
Suggested work block: 45–60 minutes. Physical builds and projects may span several classes; follow your teacher’s schedule.
Learning Targets
By the end of this lesson
Coordinate multiple workcells as one manufacturing system.
Use VEX and non-VEX sensors to verify system state.
Optimize speed, reliability, efficiency, and sensor use with experimental data.
Develop a predictive-maintenance plan and reflect on system performance.
Equipment & Systems
What you will use
Multiple VEX CTE Workcells
VEX and non-VEX sensors
AI Vision Sensor as assigned
VEXcode EXP
Spreadsheet software
Student Workflow
What You Will Do
Form the assigned multi-workcell system and document the final physical configuration.
Define product starting locations, destinations, and required movement between workcells.
Plan communication and sensor verification so subsystems remain synchronized.
Program and test the complete material-flow system.
Run a factorial experiment on selected settings and use results to improve performance.
Develop a predictive-maintenance plan using available motor data.
Demonstrate the final system and complete the unit reflection.
Programming Focus
How coding supports the lesson
Reuse and adapt your best code from sensing, vision, conveyors, pneumatics, handshaking, and robotic-arm work rather than writing one long program from scratch.
What You Will Submit
What You Submit
Multi-workcell system plan and project-management evidence
Final programs for each participating workcell
Successful coordinated-movement demonstration
Factorial experiment plan, data, and optimization conclusion
Check calculations, units, labels, and measurements against the activity requirements.
Record what actually happened, including unexpected results.
Explain what you changed and why; attach required drawings, photos, CAD, or code in your classroom assignment.
Multi-workcell system plan and project-management evidence Final programs for each participating workcell Successful coordinated-movement demonstration
A PDF download is not a submission. Review it, then upload it and any required attachments through your classroom assignment system.
