I can troubleshoot a mechanism by identifying causes of failure and making targeted revisions.
POE Unit 1 • Lesson 1.16
Prototype Build Day 2: Power, Load, and Troubleshooting
Focus question: How can troubleshooting connect a failure point to a targeted design revision?
Mission Briefing
Today’s Plan
A focused lesson sequence that builds toward the VEX Rover Mechanisms Challenge.
Opening promptConcept voteAerospace linkCompare optionsEvidence challengeQuick checkExit ticket
Lesson Targets
What You Will Be Able to Do
Troubleshooting log and revised prototype evidence
Troubleshooting follows symptom → evidence → likely cause → targeted revision → retest, with only one major variable changed at a time.
Activity Flow
How the Lesson Moves
This page highlights the lesson elements you need for practice, evidence, and submission.
1. Reproduce the symptom
Use the same load and test setup so the failure can be observed reliably.
2. Isolate the cause
Check power, transmission, alignment, friction, fastening, and structural deflection.
3. Revise and retest
Change the most likely cause, then compare new evidence with the original test.
Lesson Interactive
Diagnose a Power-Transmission Failure
The motor shaft spins, but the large output gear and lift arm remain stationary. Choose the most likely cause, targeted revision, and verification evidence.
Observed Symptom
- Motor sound is normal.
- Motor shaft rotates.
- Gear on the same shaft does not rotate consistently.
- No major frame rubbing is visible.
Troubleshooting Path
Choose the path that directly addresses the observed break in motion transfer.
Today’s Work
Main Deliverable
Troubleshooting Log and Revised Prototype Evidence
Complete one full troubleshooting cycle on the powered mechanism.
- Record the symptom, evidence, likely cause, revision, and retest result.
- Include a before-and-after photo, sketch, measurement, or data point.
Exit Ticket
Mission Debrief
One way today’s lesson connects to an aerospace mechanism or VEX rover system.
One type of evidence you could use to support a design decision.
One question you still have about mechanisms, energy, power, or the Unit 1 challenge.
Resources
Lesson Resources
Principles of Engineering
Return to the POE course hub for units, resources, certifications, and current course information.
VEX Rover Mechanisms Challenge
Use this unit project context when connecting the lesson to mechanism planning, testing, and design review evidence.