Getting Started
Hexastorm is currently undergoing final pre-production validation, optical tuning, and firmware polish in preparation for commercial release.
In the meantime, the entire hardware architecture, mechanical CAD, FPGA gateware, and optical simulation stack are open source. Makers, researchers, and engineers can explore the technology, build their own setup using the drop-in CNC 3018 Pro platform, or contribute to the toolchain.
Hardware Platform: CNC 3018 Pro Drop-In
To make building and evaluating Hexastorm accessible without requiring custom CNC frames, the 2026 hardware iteration is designed as a direct drop-in upgrade for the ubiquitous Vevor CNC 3018 Pro:
01
The Desktop Frame
Uses the standard Vevor CNC 3018 Pro aluminum extrusion chassis, stock 24V DC power supply, and leadscrew axes. Eliminates custom CNC fabrication while providing a rigid, low-cost motion platform.
02
The Control Core
Houses the unified 4-layer Firestarter PCB with ESP32-S3, Lattice iCE40UP5K FPGA, and TMC2209 silent stepper drivers. Fits directly inside the stock CNC 3018 enclosure.
03
The Optical Scan Head
The optomechanical assembly—housing the rotating glass prism, 405 nm laser diode, photodiode sync, and high-speed driver—connects to the controller via a single 20-pin Flat Flexible Cable (FFC).
Complete Software & Optical Ecosystem
Hexastorm spans a complete end-to-end stack from optical physics to real-time silicon gateware:
⚡ Electronics & Gateware
- Firestarter Driver PCB
Unified 4-layer control electronics housing the ESP32-S3, Lattice iCE40 FPGA, and TMC2209 drivers. Sponsored by PCBWay. - Hexastorm Gateware
Amaranth HDL gateware and LUNA components providing deterministic microsecond laser pulse modulation up to 12 MHz.
🔬 Optics & Simulation
- Optical Design & Verification
Python tools for optical simulation, Snell’s law prism ray-tracing, analytical spot-size calculation, and automated FreeCAD verification. - PyOpTools
Open-source Python optical ray-tracing library utilized for non-sequential optical simulations and ray propagation analysis.
🛠️ Mechanics & CAD
- Hexastorm CAD Models
Mechanical models, optomechanical mounts, and 3D printable adapters modeled in FreeCAD. - RepRap Whitepaper
Foundational technical documentation detailing rotating prism optics, spot distortion math, and comparisons with galvanometer/polygon systems.
📚 History & Community
- Hackaday Project Logs
Extensive engineering log documenting the multi-year development history, calibration algorithms, and hardware iterations. - Development History
Learn about the design evolution from early 2017 polygon prototypes to the unified 2026 solid glass prism architecture.
Video Walkthroughs
Live Exposure Run
Active raster exposure demonstration using the high-speed rotating prism engine.
Hardware & Electronics
Detailed engineering walkthrough of the optical scan head, motor assembly, and driver board.
Physics & Technology
Comprehensive presentation on rotating prism scanning optics, distortion theory, and mechanics.