Plek station for repair shops

The plek station is a compact machine developed around the high speed, high accuracy plek technology but small enoughto be used in repair shops. It is a tool that not only does precise fret dressing, nut slotting/shaping, bridge slotting andengraving but also helps with quality control and R&D. All of these procedures will reflect the work style and judgement ofthe operator except with greater accuracy.

This computer controlled device scans instruments under actual playing conditions - strung and tuned to pitch - andperforms all functions around that data. This is a major breakthrough since the plek illustrates precisely what needs to bedone for perfect fretwork in any style, executes this rapidly, and delivers perfect results when the instrument is re-strung.

In repair, the station achieves superior playability and frees the tech from time-consuming and strenuous handwork.Viewing a plek scan allows the user to decide between dressing and a partial/complete refret by showing exact fretheights and projecting post-dress results. For small builders, the plek station speeds up the production process andraises the quality of instruments to an extremely high and consistent level.

Multifunctional capability

As always, the plek concept features a modular design for flexibility and to facilitate the ongoing development of toolmodules and new processes. Due to the online support design and desktop link up, software is easily upgraded and realtime help and remote training is easy.

Research and development

The plek measuring and graphic display capabilities open up a wide range of R&D applications. For example, oneimportant use might be the study of a truss rod function and how it affects neck design. Also fret installation techniquescan be compared. Fingerboard issues can be evaluated in accurate 3-D, the effect of humidity and gluing procedures canbe studied, and instruments can be observed over the long term for stability and setup issues.

Quality control

The impact of material defects, manufacturing problems and curing intervals can be quantified and this data used toimprove production. For example, outsourced fingerboards could be checked for fret placement and radius, and fretseating can be studied. Also, customer returns can be quickly and accurately examined, complaints validated wherecorrect and solutions documented.

Scan results can be displayed for customer consultation and to visually prove quality. The plek station creates printablegraphic feedback to aid the repair person. A neck scan can be used to carefully correct fingerboard issues before refretting. A permanent record of all instruments remains in the database for later reference as needed. This work history isuseful and easy to access, to check fret life or to quickly tweak a neck back to its ideal setup if necessary at a later date.