2023-Feb

Building The IndyMill (Shopping List)

2023 is the year I build this machine! Edit - turned out to be 2024 :D

This is a space for me to keep track and potentially help other people! I bought Nikodem‘s build instructions and will follow them along with his videos.

Often I cant remember the name of some part and just need a visual reference to the name or to take notes of things that I learn about the part, CNC is a whole new world to me.

Additionally these parts are expensive so as I buy the parts the list below helps me keep track. Most of these parts from aliexpress.com and are generics but for a home, none commercial project its fine.

XYZ Axis - Cartesian Coordinate System

Electronics

Part	Details
	TB6600 stepper drivers Default microstep value is 8 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000237610563.html
	Nema23 stepper motors with 8mm shaft and a step angle of 1.8 degrees, Only 4 are needed for the Indymill but I wanted to test with and have a spare https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32996003992.html
	500 Watt Spindle Collets to change the size of the accepted bit Powers supply for the spindle with potentiometer (controls rotation speed) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000182313184.html
	IndyShield – CNC Arduino Shield designed by Nikodem https://indystry.cc/product/indyshield-cnc-arduino-shield/
	20 AWG 5A, 20 meters, 6 pin, some of which I split, some I kept together for the connection from electronics box to the machine https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006787593308.html
	20 AWG twisted pair shielded cable, 10 meters, 2 pin, this was needed for the end stops as the other wires gennerated Electromagnetic interference (EMI) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004178571358.html
	20 AWG silicone wire, 10 meters https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007391168450.html

I didnt need this much wire but I did want to have different colours for the build to match the diagrams, it wont go to waste in my workshop and I wanted to experiment with silicone vs PVC covering, I liked both!

3D Printed Parts

PLA at 40%, you can buy them from Nikodem at https://indystry.cc/product/indymill-3d-printed-parts/. He also provided them as a free download if you want to print yourself https://indystry.cc/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IndyMill-STL.zip or https://github.com/NikodemBartnik/IndyMill/tree/master/3D%20Printed

I experimented with ASA which seemed to work but one part cracked when putting it together, probably just a poor print orientation on my part. If I do them again Id use PETG.

Part	Details
	6000 holder.stl
	Ball screw block X axis flap.stl
	Ball screw block X axis.stl
	Ball screw block Y axis flap.stl
	Ball screw block Y axis.stl
	X axis nut holder.stl
	Y axis nut holder left.stl & Y axis nut holder right.stl
	Z axis bearing holder.stl
	Z axis nut holder.stl

Other parts/tools

SFU1605 Ball nut pin (holding balls), this was useful when I needed to swap the ball nut orientation, if your balls end up falling out like mine did, this video helped me understand how to rebuild the ball nut. - Rebuilding &/or Replacing BALL NUTS
Limit switch holder
Cable chain
- 20mm on y-axis
- 40mm on z-axis

Mechanical

Part	Details
	Aluminium profiles (20×40x600,20×40x666,20×80x600mm) https://autoline.nz/product-category/aluminium-t-slot-extrusion/2-series/
	Trapezoidal Lead Screw Pitch 2mm Lead 8mm, 800mm, I’ll cut to 220mm https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32507277503.html
	Ball screw and nut, SFU1605 600mm (2of), 650mm (1of) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001303680673.html https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001303680673.html
	Liner rail block MGN12H, Original Hiwin (12of) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001241652307.html The difference between MGN12C and MGN12H is the preload and size. MGN12C block is 27mm by 34.7mm with holes 15mm and 20mm appart. MGN12H block is 27mm by 45.4 so its wider and with holes 20mm by 20mm appart. MGN12H a better choice for applications where precision is critical, such as CNC machines. However, the MGN12H is also more expensive than the MGN12C. MGN12C is a good choice for applications where precision is not critical, such as 3D printers. The more expensive `Hiwin` MGN12H blocks have a pre-load rating if Z0 (no preload at all)
	Linear Rail MGN12H 600mm (2of), 650mm (2of), 200mm (2of). `KGT Factory Store` worked with the Original Hiwin blocks, I think its because of the ISO 9001 RoHS compliance they have https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1000007480470.html

If you buy cheaper none Original Hiwin blocks then buy them with the rails as the tolerances will be tested at the factory, in my experience just because it says MGN12H doesnt mean they will fit 100%.

Plates

These plates can be laser cut from 6mm HRMS G250 Steel (can also be 8mm) or water cut from 8mm Aluminium 5083 however I went with steel for rigidity and I think the weight will be helpful.

You can buy the plates from Nikodem at https://indystry.cc/product/indymill-bare-steel-plates-kit/ or you can have them cut in your own country by downloading the the files and sending them to a cutting workshop https://indystry.cc/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IndyMill-DXF.zip

The X and Z axis supports:

Part	Details
	Z Axis Motor Support. Size 78.14 x 124.97
	X Axis. Size 120.00 x 200.00
	Z Axis Rail Support 1 and 2. Size 12.00 x 200.00
	500W Spindle Plate Z Axis. Size 135.00 x 86.00