Programmable drill press cuts holes to specific depths
NOVA drill press woodwork.jpg
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -  NOVA, a leading innovator in the woodturning and woodworking industry for more than 25 years, is introducing its first drill press. The NOVA Voyager 18” Drill Press features the DVR Smart Motor, the first perfected or practical Switch Reluctance Motor (www.novatoolsusa.com). 
 
A drill press is largely a motor that drives a drill bit. Manufacturers have added features, such as larger tables, and laser guidance, but the heart of the drill press is the motor. The NOVA Voyager Drill Press uses a 1.75hp (115V) DVR (Digital Variable Reluctance) Smart Motor (can be adapted easily to 220V 2hp) designed by DVR Technology Developments, Inc. It is a direct drive motor with no belts or pulleys, providing smooth, vibration free drilling. It also has no brushes, permanent magnets, or electrical connections to moving parts; and no current flow in the rotor, meaning less wear and longer life than an AC or DC motor. 
It also has the ability to turn on or off with no power spike, providing a low voltage start and no wear on the motor. The motor has an unmatched variable speed range of 50 to 5500 RPM – and enough torque to tackle any material including steel and other metals. Traditional DC and AC motors can no longer meet the sophisticated requirements of the market. The DVR Direct Drive has been proven in NOVA lathes over many years and has recently featured in its first independent manufacturer project, providing the highly successful DVR Drive for the Shopsmith PowerPro machine. DVR drive technology is now poised to expand into a wide range of products,
 
 
These features  make NOVA’s Voyager Drill Press not just a woodworking but an ‘all purpose’ drill press. However, it also features a powerful on-board CPU, taking the functionality and safety of this drill press to the next level and making it a truly innovative tool. 
A user-friendly LCD screen allows the user to access a picture menu, a feature generally found only on CNC machines. The user can select the drill bit they want from the menu, then select the size and the material they are drilling into, and the computer will select the correct speed.
 
The Voyager Drill Press can be set to start when the user pulls down on the lever, and automatically stops when the quill is retracted. For zeroing, the user can bring the drill bit down to the work piece and simply press the zero button. The drill press now knows exactly where the work piece is. The drill depth can be dialed in to an accuracy of 0.05” increments – well beyond any ruler or mechanical stop capabilities. The user can select how deep to drill and what action the machine should take once reaching that depth, for example, brake and stop at a depth of 1.5-inches.  All this – the correct speed, zero point and drilling depth – can be set in less than 30 seconds.
 
The drill press has a pilot-hole function that governs the speed of the drill until enough material is entered then ramps up to full speed. This eliminates the need for a pilot-hole drill and ensures a larger drill bit won’t wander. It also makes drilling into a round or irregular surface easier. 
 
Custom Features: There are many features that can be customized for the user. For example, favourite speed settings, pilot hole, forward reverse, brake function, auto handle start, Inch/metric measurement and more. 
 
Safety
The safety of the NOVA Voyager 18” Drill Press is unmatched. It has a tilt/vibration sensor, so if the drill press falls, the drill press will stop. If a work piece becomes loose, the motor will instantly monitor that an abnormal horizontal load is now occurring and will immediately shut down the motor. Password protection can also be set by the user to prevent unauthorized use.
 
For more information, customers can contact their Dealer or NOVA Customer Service at 727-954-3433. For more information on the DVR Smart Motor go to www.dvrsmartmotor.com. 
 
Teknatool has always been known for its high quality, innovative designs, constantly producing market leading products. Under the NOVA™ brand, the company continues to collect accolades in its industry, not only being awarded the “Top 5 of the 25 most innovative products in woodworking over the last 25 years” in 2009, but also consistently featuring as “Best Value” and “Peoples Choice” in independent product tests.  
 
Teknatool International Ltd is a global manufacturing exporter, with subsidiaries in China and the USA. The company makes NOVA woodworking products and highly energy efficient and intelligent Motor, Driver and Generator technologies. These proprietary intelligent drive technologies are produced under the DVR motor brand. Teknatool USA is a subsidiary of Teknatool International Ltd, based in the U.S. market. 
 

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.