I just received 5 ALD5s for my classroom. We ordered them to be preassembled.
I was able to connect the arm to my FlowArm software, but I have not been able to calibrate it. I have not been able to successfully control the arm. I have followed proper setup instructions, but feel like I may be missing something. Any help would be appreciated.
If the arm was already assembled, you simply need to power it from the wall adapter, plug in the USB cable.
Do you have the FlowArm software up and running on the computer, and it has detected the SSC-32U servo controller?
If not, you need to press the “Bluetooth” button (to set the baud rate) and set the COM to Auto, which should detect the arm.
There is a “calibrate” button on screen which causes small knobs to pop up so you can fully calibrate each joint.
Calibration only needs to be done for the joints which are not at 90 degrees / 180 degrees because the Hitec splines did not allow for it.
The connection was established. The arm is just not moving correctly. It will occasionally jerk, but it is not consistent with the motions on the software.
When you say “not moving correctly”, we will need some additional details, or perhaps a video (showing the arm and the software).
Pressing the “home” button should move the arm to a specific position which corresponds to what you see on the screen.
The angles may be very slightly off, requiring a little calibration (which is saved to your computer).
The arms will make small choppy movements but will not allow us to use Flowarm to control them. The software says “Found”.
I have a video. What is the best way to upload it?
You can upload it to your YouTube Page / Video / other video sharing, or even a site to send files (ZIP ideally).
We deleted the link to the DropBox account as it showed all of your personal files. If you have a Gmail account, can you upload it to your YouTube page?
Video is private - can you change the share settings to “anyone with a link”?
try now
We see from the video that the arm is not following the screen at all. Does the software show that the arm is “found” and is the Bluetooth button active? If the arms were ordered assembled, you should only need to plug in the USB, power supply and install the software.
Yes, the software shows that the arm is found. We don’t know what to do to fix them.
Can you close the software, disconnect the arm, move the arm to the “home” position, re-connect the USB cable, re-open the software, check the bluetooth button, then set the COM to Auto? Does the arm respond correctly?
No, same behavior as before.
In training, I remember the arms kind of springing to life after bluetooth was selected. It sounds like the arm tries to do that for a split second and then nothing. It is like it is dead or has no energy.
Our software was installed a week earlier. We did not open the software until after the USB was connected and the drivers installed.
Do the arms need to be connected to the computer before the software is installed or just before the drivers are installed?
Shouldn’t matter actually - the software can be installed at any time, and ideally the arm can be connected before or after the software is opened, and the COM port should be detected.
Is there the chance someone may have pressed (on purpose or accidentally) the Baud rate button on the SSC-32U?
If not, can you confirm that when the arm connects, that it retains its position (i.e. each joint wants to stay at a fixed position) or can the arm be moved / re-positioned easily without resistance?
As far as I know the baud rate button has not been pushed. When the arm connects, it can still be easily re-positioned without resistance.
The blue power light blinks sometimes as opposed to staying blue. Is that normal?
The blue power light goes off when students try to use the software to move the robot.
No, that indicates an issue with the power supply not being able to provide sufficient current. We will send replacements ASAP.
Can you send an e-mail to [email protected] with your order or invoice number and a link to this topic?
We greatly apologize for any inconvenience.