Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(15)
Designed
Designed for
for guitar
guitar production
production
1|8
Production
The PLEK PRO has been developed to be used in guitar production factories and/or service-repair shops
as a tool that not only does precise fret dressing but also helps with quality control and R&D.
This computer controlled device scans and dresses a guitar under actual playing conditions, strung
and tuned to pitch. This is a major breakthrough since the PLEK PRO identifies precisely what needs
to be done for perfect fretwork, executes this rapidly, and delivers perfect results on the instrument
when restrung.
PLEK PRO speeds up the production process and raises the quality of instruments to an extremely high
and consistent level.
Multifunctional Capability
As a result of a new electronic and hardware concept, upgrades do not require special effort.
The PLEK PRO represents uncompromising modular design that makes it easy to develop and
add additional tool modules and process features.
Research and development
Its measuring and graphic display capabilities open up a wide range of R&D applications.
For example, one important use would be studying the workings of the truss rod and how it affects the neck.
Fingerboard issues can be evaluated in accurate 3-D, the effect of humidity and gluing procedures can be
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 customer returns can be studied and will decrease.
PLEK PRO creates printable graphic feedback to improve employee performance. Consistency of innumerable
manufacturing processes can be seen and stored for later comparisons. A permanent record of all
instruments remains in the database for later reference as needed.
Sensor finger
Fret cutter
(w/ replaceable cutter head)
March 2011
(15)
2|8
Cutting modules
modules
For fret dressing the PLEK PRO makes use of a specially
manufactured carbide cutting wheel contoured for cutting
the fret height as well as rounding the fret crown
simultaneously. Each fret cutter comes with 2 or 3
customized shapes.
March 2011
(15)
Designed
for guitar production
Small
production
3|8
Cleanup
The frets, nut and saddle will only require a minimum of surface polishing, a matter of a few minutes,
to complete the job. There is a simple suggested procedure for this.
March 2011
(15)
Designed
for guitar production
Small
production
4|8
(min:sec)
Loading a guitar
0:25
Load template
0:15
3:30
2:00
Setting parameters
(Virtual Fret Dress)
0:30
Loosening strings
1:30
1:00
Fret cutting
4:30
TOTAL
TOTAL FRETBOARD WORK
8:00 10:00 min.
1:30
1:00
1:30
1:30
Rescan
3:30
Unloading guitar
0:15
Cleanup
Strings are loosened for polishing the frets which takes 1 to 5 minutes if a PLEK recommended procedure is used.
Please note: the times given above are sample times for 6-string guitars. In general processing times depend on:
operator's skills
Accuracy
mm
inches
+/- 0.005
+/- 0.0002
Fret cutter
+/- 0.01
+/- 0.0004
+/- 0.05
+/- 0.002
Sensor Finger
Magnetic transmission linear encoder
Resolution: 0.001 mm (0.00004'')
March 2011
(15)
Designed
for guitar production
Small
production
5|8
Requirements for using a PLEK PRO in a small production environment (without STS)
Space for service machine
(width/depth inc. operator space/height):
Lifting device (fork lift, crane, etc.) for moving shipping crate (600 950 kg).
Power
AC 110-220 V, fuse 15 A
Compressed air
If you wish to protect the PLEK Pro machine in the event of a power failure we recommend to use a UPS
(uninte
uninter
uninte rruptable power
powe r supply)
supply with a power of approx. 1000 W.
Phone line and internet access (DSL) is required for online support / maintenance via remote computer.
The ethernet connection (internet access) of the PLEK Station machine is not set up for wireless access points.
For operational safety reasons and for a smooth online remote PLEK support wireless is not an option.
Manpower
Any person with a basic knowledge of MS Windows and guitars.
An operator can be trained in 2-3 days.
March 2011
Designed
for guitar production
Mass
production/STS
(15)
6|8
March 2011
(15)
Designed
for guitar production
Mass
production/STS
7|8
(min:sec)
Loading a guitar
0:05
Load template
0:05
PREPARATIONS, SCANNING,
SCANNING, FRET CUTTING
7:00 10:00 min.
1:45
0:30
Fret cutting
4:30
1:30
1:00
1:30
Rescan
e.g. for every 10th instrument
-> 6 seconds average per instrument
0:06
Unloading guitar
0:05
Cleanup
STS adapters are taken off and the frets are polished. This takes about 1 to 5 minutes if a PLEK recommended procedure is used.
Finally the instrument is strung up to pitch. These activities are also carried out when another instrument is being processed at
the same time. Hence the overall processing time per instrument is not prolonged.
Please note: the times given above are sample times for 6-string guitars. In general processing times depend on:
Furthermore we assume that an internal and external STS are used simultaneously thus making parallel working possible.
Accuracy
mm
inches
+/- 0.005
+/- 0.0002
Fret cutter
cutter
+/- 0.01
+/- 0.0004
+/- 0.05
+/- 0.002
Sensor Finger
Magnetic transmission linear encoder
Resolution: 0.001 mm (0.00004'')
March 2011
(15)
Designed
for guitar production
Mass
production/STS
8|8
60 cm x 51 cm x 180 cm
23.6" x 20.1" x 70.9"
Lifting device (fork lift, crane, etc.) for moving shipping crate (600 950 kg).
Power
AC 110-220 V, fuse 15 A
Compressed air
If you wish to protect the PLEK Pro machine in the event of a power failure we recommend to use a UPS
(uninte
uninter
uninte rruptable power supply)
supply with a power of approx. 1000 W.
Phone line and internet access (DSL) is required for online support / maintenance via remote computer.
The ethernet connection (internet access) of the PLEK Station machine is not set up for wireless access points.
For operational safety reasons and for a smooth online remote PLEK support wireless is not an option.
Manpower
Any person with a basic knowledge of MS Windows and guitars.
An operator can be trained in 2-3 days.
March 2011
technology worldwide
Locations of manufacturers and customer service centers
22
16 1718
1
3
2
4
12
11
3 5
4
6 10
7
11
12
9
13
8 10 14
7
89
15
20
12
13
21
14
24
Europe
North America
GUITAR SERVICE & REPAIR
23
19
GUITAR MANUFACTURING
Plek is a registered trademark | All rights reserved | 2011 A+D Gitarrentechnologie GmbH
15
GUITAR MANUFACTURING
12 Duesenberg, Hannover/Germany
13 Warwick | Framus, Markneukirchen/Germany
Asia / Australia
GUITAR SERVICE & REPAIR
25
GUITAR MANUFACTURING
14 Takamine, Gifu/Japan
15 Stranough Voicemate, Surabaya/Indonesia