How a Ballpoint Pen is Made

How a Ballpoint Pen is Made

A ballpoint pen is a modern kind of writing tool that uses oil-based ink inside a small, ball-shaped tip. The ink comes out and rolls over the ball as you write, then transfers to paper—which has a more porous quality so it easily absorbs it. It may seem like a simple device, but the ballpoint pen has actually revolutionized the way we write in our modern world.

The first ballpoint pens were invented in 1888 by John Loud and were revolutionary because they could be used on any surface, including coarse materials such as leather or wood. However, they never became widespread because the ink that dried quickly was also abrasive and caused streaks. A Hungarian newspaper editor named Laszlo Biro and his brother Gyorgy, a chemist, worked together to develop a more viscous ink for the pens that would make them work better. They patented their work in 1938 and the rest is history.

Most ballpoint pens today are made of plastic, although some metal ones still exist. They are manufactured using either the extrusion process or injection molding. The raw materials for the parts come in granules or powder and are melted down and formed into the shapes needed. Once they are molded, they are often coated with a protective layer that gives them their color and finish.

The next step in the manufacturing process is to assemble the pen. The metal parts are made from brass or other material, and the tungsten carbide balls for the tips are usually supplied by an outside company. The plastic parts are formed by using a die cast machine or through extrusion. The molded pieces are then put in a bath to remove any oils that were used in the manufacturing process. They are then cut to the proper measurements for the particular pen and polished.

After the pens are assembled, the ink reservoir is filled and inserted into the body of the pen. Then the pen point is attached to the ink reservoir and sent through an injector, a machine that fills the pen with the appropriate color of ink. The ink is typically made from 25-40% dye or pigment suspended in a combination of oils and fatty acids. The common solvents for the ink are benzyl alcohol and phenoxyethanol, while fatty acids such as oleic acid act as lubricants to keep the pen from clogging. Manufacturers sometimes add additives to the ink to achieve special effects, such as enhancing color vibrancy and helping the ink to absorb more quickly into the paper.

A good ballpoint pen will give you a smooth and even flow of ink while providing the comfort of a light weight and fine point that can be used on any surface. Truphae offers a wide selection of ballpoint pens in a variety of colors and styles. Our selection of high-quality pens will meet any need and budget. Order online and enjoy free shipping on your order of $75 or more.

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