Preparing the instrument

The operator places the instrument in the cradle door with the aid of a positioning device and checks the tuning of the instrument. All the instrument measurements required by the program are taken with the help of a sliding caliber and entered along with other attributes into pre-determined data fields. Once all the measurements have been entered, the door is closed and the operator starts the program sequence. The saved data can be retrieved for follow-up work at a later date.

Plek Scan

First of all, the instrument is scanned by measuring the neck with a sensor finger along each tuned string, i.e. under playing conditions. The diagnostic data obtained is displayed in the form of graphs and numerical values that provide information about the playability of the instrument, and is also used as the basis for the next steps in the process.

The Virtual Fret Dress

The interactive graphic display of the measured data makes it very easy to see whether the neck relief requires correction and how this should be undertaken. If the relief has to be corrected the operator has to open the cradle door again in order to adjust the truss rod. After closing the door the machine performs a repeat scan in order to check the relief correction. Once the truss rod has been adjusted to its optimum, the operator can devote his attention to the core function of the plek pro program, the "Virtual Fret Dress". This software tool enables you to set the amount of fret height to be cut as well as adjusting the radius (making it possible the obtain a compound radius within the frets) and the amount of "fall-off" on the uppper frets. Initially, this all happens virtually, meaning that the VFD-graphic simulates the result of cutting without actually processing the frets. Frets that are too high or too low are easily recognized and can be targeted for virtual correction. This way the amount of fret material to be cut is kept to a minimum.

Processing

When all the parameters for processing have been set and checked, the strings are loosened and removed from the fretboard. If the saddle of an acoustic guitar is to be cut it should be removed and clamped into a special vice located on the inside of the center frame of the machine. Now the operator starts the actual cutting process: the cutting wheel levels the frets, the cutter bits in the High Frequency Spindle (HFS) cut the nut slots and – if needed – shape the nut top surface. Also, if the saddle is to be processed, the HFS cuts the exact desired saddle height. After processing, the saddle is reinserted into the bridge and the instrument strung up to pitch. With the optional final scan the processed instrument can be reviewed and documented.

Only a quick and easy fret surface polishing job by hand (according to a plek recommended "recipe") is now required to complete the fret dressing procedure.