Creating Custom Cables
Teacher Toolbox
-
Facilitating the Custom Cables page
What the Teacher Will Do:
- Instruct students that they will be working together in their groups to watch the video and learn about creating their own custom cables.
- Students can work in the same groups from the previous page, or get into new groups.
- Groups should be discussing the contents of this page with each other, but each student should be individually reading and watching the video in order to contribute.
- Ensure students are aware that they do not have to make their own custom cables, but will learn how so they have the option.
- Ensure each student has their device to view this page in the Lab.
- Circle the classroom as students watch the video and answer any questions that arise.
- Students may want to make a small custom length cable to try the process. Encourage them to measure out a 300mm or 400mm cable that would match many of the other standard cable lengths.
Assembling your own custom length V5 Smart Cables provides a great deal of flexibility for the location of sensors and/or motors, plus allows for efficient cable management. When redesigning the layout of your Workcell, you may want to create custom cables to reach from the V5 Brain to any of the motors being used for conveyors, diverters, gates, or the arm on the system. In order to create custom smart cables, you will need to gather the materials in the table below.
| Quantity | Materials Needed |
|---|---|
| 1 |
V5 Smart Cable Crimping Tool |
| 1 |
V5 Smart Cable Stock (will be cut to the desired length) |
| 2 |
V5 Smart Cable Connectors |
| 1 |
Marker (or other writing utensil) |
| 1 |
Length of string (optional) |
| 1 |
Printable VEX V5 Ruler (optional) |
After gathering the materials, you can begin to create your own custom smart cables using the steps in the following video.
Teacher Tips
- If students need additional support creating custom cables, share with them this article about creating cables using the V5 Crimping Tool.
- Make sure all groups understand how to measure the length of the cable they need either using string or a measuring device. This can help to make the lengths more accurate and help conserve the V5 Smart Cable Stock.
- For additional tips, ask a question in the VEX Professional Development Plus Community.