Custom 3D navigation controller with industrial-grade precision.
The 6-DoF Spacemouse for CAD is a custom-built 3D navigation controller based on a Stewart platform with six potentiometers. Each axis (translation and rotation) is measured with analog sensors, after which an embedded microcontroller processes these signals into USB HID commands for precise interaction with CAD software like SolidWorks.
The mechanical structure was designed in SolidWorks and focuses on maximum sensitivity and precision. The firmware includes signal processing, calibration and HID output logic. The controller thus functions as an alternative to commercial 3D mice, with full compatibility and custom functionality.
This project is an excellent example of advanced integration of embedded systems, mechanical kinematics and digital interfaces.
This spacemouse is a good fit for CAD designers and engineers who spend a lot of time rotating and moving 3D models and want a smoother way to navigate than a mouse alone allows. It's also a great example for anyone wondering how a professional 3D mouse actually works, or for makers who'd rather build their own instrument than buy an off-the-shelf one. It shows that a fully capable alternative to a commercial device can be developed from scratch.
What makes this spacemouse special is that, just like the commercial versions, it can sense six directions of movement at once and translate them into smooth control inside CAD software. The Stewart platform with six potentiometers measures every push and twist with high accuracy, and the firmware turns those signals into reliable commands. Because the whole path from mechanics to software was designed in-house, the controller works not as a cheap copy but as a fully self-built alternative with its own calibration and feel.
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