Hi All,
I am new here as of about 5 minutes ago so if I have posted this in the wrong place please accept my apologies! I am a small manufacturer here in the Sierra foothills of Northern California. I build telescope drive systems.

For years I have used a knee mill with a Prototrac 3, 3 axis controller. Although it has served me well, I decided to purchase a Sharp 2415 mini mill. It arrives tomorrow morning. I bought it from the fine people at Performance Machines in the bay area.

Everything from the Fanuc OI Mate, G-coding, and the machine itself are new to me. I suppose I have been spoiled by simple canned cycles. I have been studying G-coding for the last month.

As far as Cad Cam, I have Turbocad 12 with the CAM plug-in and I also have BobCad V18 and V20. I must admit that I do not care for the Bobcad. Probably due to my own inexperience.

I look forward to all of your combined wisdom and experience. I hope that in time, I will be able to contribute here myself.

Best regards,
Larry

Welcome, Larry.

I've found this site to be a wealth of knowledge for both beginners and experienced CNC'ers alike. Only problem is, it's addictive.

I bought a sharp 2414 mini mill about 2 years ago, great machine you will like it . But who ever assenbles these machines do not do a very good job. Heres are some of the adjustments i had to do to my machine to get it running good When you get the machine make sure the service tec checks these items its his job.

Level machine

Check and adiust backlash

Check and and adjust gibs ,Icould press on the side of the spindle and it would move .006

There is a ring nut that holds the tool carosel on it has a locking washer above the ring nut (the kind you bend a tab down to lock the ring nut) mine was not bent down
allowing the ring nut to tighten and locking the tool carosel
down .

And the most important , take the way covers off and check the oil lines make sure there all tight. A sharp owner on another form had 1 of his oil lines come lose thus the machine was not getting any oil for over a year .The machine was totaled but sharp admited it was there
mistake the line was not tightend and gave the guy a new machine after the warenty had expired.Here is a link to the article.
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/13/5667.html

Thanks guys,

I really appreciate the advice. I printed your letter and will have it with me when the tech from the dealer arrives on Wed. to do the setup and startup.
Again, my thanks,

Larry