Digitalization of Legacy Machining Tools: A Case Study of a Manual Drill Press

Industrial heritage movable assets, particularly the traditional machining tools used in manufacturing processes, are facing an increasing risk of disappearing due to the continuous advances in technology. Innovations in industry have progressively displaced many of these manual tools, making them obsolete or irrelevant in current manufacturing processes, remaining only for artisanal work. In this context, manual vertical drilling presses, which have played a crucial role in manufacturing for decades, are being displaced by more advanced machining tools, which incorporate technologies such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC). This work focuses on the development of a manual vertical drill press digital model, in order to virtually recreate its operation and structure. The software used to develop the model was SolidWorks (version 2024). This model aims not only to preserve a historically significant machine but also to serve as an educational resource, illustrating drilling operations before modern technologies emerged. Reconstructing them in 3D enhances the study and understanding of their mechanics and utility, ensuring access to technical knowledge and preserving their legacy in a digitalized world.