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. Necessary measurements of the instrument required by the program are taken with the help of a sliding caliber and entered along with other attributes into pre-determined data fields. After all, the measurements are entered, the door is closed and the operator starts the program sequence. The saved data can be called up again 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 up string, thus under playing condition. The diagnostic data obtained shows, by means of graphs and numerical values, the relevant information about the playability of the instrument and is the source for all the process procedures that follow.

The Virtual Fret Dress

The interactive graphic display of the measured data makes it very easy to see if and how to correct the relief of the neck. If the relief has to be corrected the cradle door must be opened to be able to adjust the truss rod. After closing the door the machine scans again to check the relief correction. Is the truss rod 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 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.