A drill press is a motor that drives a drill bit. For years, manufacturers have added features, such as larger tables, and laser guidance, but the heart of the drill press is the motor. And, to date, motor technology has not kept pace. The NOVA Voyager DVR Drill Press introduces revolutionary motor technology, changing up the category completely.
The NOVA Voyager DVR Drill press uses a 1.75hp (115V)/2hp (220v) DVR (Digital Variable Reluctance) Smart Motor. A direct drive motor with no belts or pulleys, providing the ideal drilling platform - 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.
These features alone make the NOVA 18” Drill Press stand out from the competition as not just a woodworking but an ‘all purpose’ drill press. However, it also features a powerful MCU on board, 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 NOVA Voyager 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 dialled in to an accuracy well beyond any ruler or mechanical stop increments. The user can select how deep to drill and what action the machine should take once reaching that depth, e.g., 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 NOVA Voyager 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.
