Hardware Architecture

Eight Modules.
One Brain.

Every node in the OpenMotionFX ecosystem runs on the exact same microcontroller: the ESP32-S3. There is no "master controller" box to buy. The intelligence is distributed, meaning a single pan/tilt head is a complete system on its own. Everything else is additive.

omfx-net --scan-nodes

[OK] NODE 01 : PAN_TILT_HEAD   (192.168.4.11)
[OK] NODE 02 : SLIDER_500MM    (192.168.4.12)
[OK] NODE 03 : FOCUS_MOTOR_A   (192.168.4.13)
[OK] NODE 04 : KEY_LIGHT       (192.168.4.14)
[OK] NODE 05 : SYNC_BOX        (192.168.4.15)

> 5 nodes found. Sync variance: 0.08ms.
> Ready for Conductor payload.

01. Pan/Tilt Head

The flagship of the project. Designed specifically to handle the payload of an iPhone 17 Pro Max or a stripped-down mirrorless camera. By utilizing zero-backlash printed cycloidal gears and closed-loop NEMA17 motors, it hits repeatability tolerances previously locked behind $3,000 price tags.

Engineering Specs
Parameter	Value
Max Payload	1,200 g (2.6 lbs)
Repeatability	0.02° variance
Drive System	NEMA17 / Cycloidal
Est. Build Cost	$75–95

02. Slider

A 500 mm linear rail driven by a GT2 belt system. Built entirely from standard 3D-printer supply chain parts, keeping costs minimal while ensuring worldwide part availability. Synchronizes seamlessly with the Pan/Tilt head to create multi-axis tracking shots.

Engineering Specs
Parameter	Value
Track Length	500 mm (Expandable)
Repeatability	0.05 mm variance
Max Speed	200 mm/sec
Est. Build Cost	$90–110

03. Focus / Zoom Motor

Turns standard cinema lens gears into a programmed axis. Perfect for racking focus on a dolly-in, creating repeatable Vertigo effects, or locking focus planes on macro product spins. Records directly into the exported `.omfx` move file for VFX ingestion.

Engineering Specs
Parameter	Value
Gear Pitch	0.8 MOD (Cinema Standard)
Torque	1.2 Nm
Calibration	Auto hard-stop detection
Est. Build Cost	$35–50

04. Lighting & Sync

Motion control isn't just about the camera. The Key Light, FX Light, and Sync Box modules ensure your lighting shifts frame-accurately with the camera move. Replicate police strobes, flicker-free fires, or trigger camera shutters via precise timecode.

Ecosystem Modules
Module	Core Function	Est. Cost
Key Light	High-CRI COB, flicker-free dimming	$55–75
FX Light	Addressable pixels (fire, lightning)	$30–45
Sync Box	Timecode, tally, shutter trigger	$25–35
Turntable	360° macro product spins	$40–55
Dolly	3m floor track positive drive	$80–110

Build Planner

Calculate your BOM

Select the modules you want to build. Our prices are based on current average hardware costs for ESP32-S3 boards, NEMA motors, bearings, and fasteners.

Pan/Tilt Head $75–95 The foundation. Requires Conductor app (Free). Slider (500mm) $90–110 Adds the X-axis tracking motion. Dolly Track (3m) $80–110 Floor positive drive. Replaces slider for wide moves. Turntable $40–55 Ideal for macro / product videography. Focus/Zoom Motor $35–50 Automates cinema lens gears (0.8 MOD). Key Light $55–75 Dimmer syncs perfectly with camera movement. FX Light $30–45 Addressable pixel triggers for practical effects. Sync Box $25–35 Acts as the rig's timekeeper for shutter and tally.