Drill press One example of a quill drive is found in a
drill press where the quill allows the
chuck to move vertically while being driven rotationally.
Railroad locomotive Quill drives have been extensively used in railroad
electric locomotives to connect between frame-mounted
traction motors and the driven wheels. The two are linked by a flexible drive which allows a degree of radial motion and possibly a small amount of axial motion. This allows the motors to be mounted on top of the suspension system, moving independently of the wheels. This smooths the drive from the motors and isolates them from mechanical shock. This also decreases the
unsprung weight borne directly by the wheels, thus decreasing wear on the track. Quill drives were used by many electric locomotives in the
United States, particularly those of the
Pennsylvania Railroad—their long-lasting
GG1 design being perhaps the best known. Many locomotives built in
Switzerland,
France,
Germany,
Italy and
Poland used quill drives as well, allowing higher locomotive speed. The
English Electric–built
NZR ED class used a quill drive, but was found to be hard on the track. ==See also==