Technical Description of Mechanical Pencil
Lydia Cruz
March 2022
Hostos Community College
Outline Of Contents
Title page …………………………………………………………………………1
Outline of the Contents …………………………………………………………. 2
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………… 3
Body ………………………………………………………………………………3
1 The Mechanical Pencil …………………………………………………………3
1.1 Description of inside the Mechanical Pencil……………………………………3-4
1.2 Gripping Assembly ……………………………………………………………….3
1.3 The body of the Mechanical Pencil……………………………………………. 4-5
Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………4
References ……………………………………………………………………………5
Introduction
Mechanical pencils are reusable holders that use thin sticks of lead and include a mechanism for extending the lead, commonly a push button. Mechanical pencil leads come in a variety of sizes, with 0.5 and 0.7 mm being the most common. In 1822, a blacksmith named Sampson Mordan invented the mechanical pencil (cbc. N.d). At first mechanical pencils had to be sharpened until he made the propelling system. People today usually prefer mechanical pencils because they do not have to be sharpened and it does not take up time while working. They are also usually more comfortable to hold than your average wood pencil.
- The Mechanical Pencil
Figure 1: The Mechanical pencil
The lead sleeve (Figure 1), located at the bottom, provides a pointed opening where lead rods can be ejected for writing. The pocket clamp holder (Figure 1), located at the top, can clamp around T-shirt’s pockets allowing for hands-free carrying and easy access. The eraser (Figure 1), inserted at the top, can erase lead particles from paper, wood or other mediums where it has been applied. The eraser (Figure 1), can also be removed allowing it to be replaced. It is also the push button to push lead out. (qualitylogoproducts)
1.1 Description of inside of Mechanical pencil
Figure 2: Inside components of Mechanical pencil
Lead Reservoir Tube: Inside the body of the mechanical pencil is the lead reservoir tube, which holds extra pieces of lead. Some reservoir tubes hold up to 5 pieces of lead at a time.
Chuck and Chuck ring: The chuck and chuck ring work together with the push button, which is the eraser, to push the lead through the lead sleeve. Once the push button is pressed it engages the spring, which causes the chuck and chuck ring to grab and pull the lead out.
1.2 Gripping Assembly
Figure 3: Gripping assembly
The lead sleeve: At the tip of the pencil is the lead sleeve. It stabilizes the lead stick during writing to prevent it from breaking easily.
The Grip: The grip on the bottom of the pencil is placed there so your finger has something to rest on and grip so your finger does not slip while writing.
1.3 Body of Mechanical pencil
Figure 4: Body
Body: The body of the mechanical pencil acts like a shell to protect the inside components of the pencil. It also allows for a sturdy grip of the pencil and it holds lead.
Clip: The pocket clip is usually plastic and usually is used to clip the pencil in a shirt or to hang on a notebook. It is solely just for storage purposes.
Eraser: The eraser is at the top of the pencil inside the eraser cap. It allows to switch out erasers that are worn out and be replaced with new ones. It also holds the lead inside so it won’t fall out while writing.
Conclusion
Mechanical pencils are a convenient way and easy alternative to the traditional wood pencils. These pencils are preferred by students who need to write tons of notes and do not have time to stop and sharpen their wooden pencils. Just a simple push and the lead comes right out.
References
“Kicking It Old School: The History of the Pencil, Paper and Eraser | CBC Kids.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/kicking-it-old-school-the-history-of-the-pencil-paper-and-eraser#:~:text=But%20in%201822%20a%20British,the%20game%20for%20writing%20utensils.
https://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/promo-university/anatomy-of-pens-pencils.htm
