Image source: eng.monash.edu.au
Pencils are one of the first writing aids for any kid,
but we are not far from an age when a kid will be using a
stylus and a tablet instead of a pencil and notebook for his schoolwork. Apart from writing, pencils can be put to many uses, but any idea as to how they are manufactured. Before explaining their manufacturing process, I would like to highlight the fact the pencils do not contain the chemical element lead (Pb) even though the writing core is referred to as lead, it is actually a mixture of graphite and clay.
Now here is a simple picture explaining their manufacturing process from the initial cedar block to the end finished product.
Now here is a simple picture explaining their manufacturing process from the initial cedar block to the end finished product.
Image source: pencilpages.com
It all begins with pencil stocks which are incense-cedar (a coniferous tree) logs, which finds its way to the slat factory.
- The pencil stocks are cut into pencil blocks
- The pencil blocks are further cut into slats
- These slats are then treated with wax and stained for uniform color and better machining
- The slats are cut into grooves with a grooving machine and filled with glue
- Writing leads or cores are placed into the grooves
- A mirror slat is placed onto this to form a sandwich and held together with glue and pressed with a hydraulic press
- The lead sandwich is then machined for the required shape
- During shaping, they separate to form individual pencils
- The individual pencils are then undergone tests for non centered cores and chipped wood
- The individual pencils are painted with multiple coats for the required finish and color
- A ferrule is provided
- An eraser is cramped into the ferrule
As per the Chinese proverb, a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this digital age I strongly believe a video is worth a thousand pictures. Below is a segment on pencil making from the popular documentary series How It's Made broadcasted on Discovery Channel.
