HOW BIC PENS are MADE 🖊️ | How Pen Ink is Made

Summary

This video delves into the fascinating world of BIC pens, revealing how millions are manufactured daily to meet global demand. It traces the invention of the ballpoint pen back to 1938, highlighting Marcel Bich's role in making it affordable and accessible. The manufacturing process involves creating resilient tungsten carbide balls, precise ink formulation, and meticulous assembly of components, ensuring quality control at every step. With a staggering 1 billion disposable pens used annually in the U.S. alone, this exploration showcases the innovative spirit behind a beloved writing instrument that can write up to 2 kilometers without interruption.

Takeaways

• 🖊️ Every day, millions of BIC pens are sold, with 300 pens sold every second worldwide.
• 🌍 BIC has around 25 factories globally, producing billions of pens annually to meet demand.
• ✍️ The ballpoint pen was invented in 1938 by Marcel Bich, who sought a better writing instrument than fountain pens or pencils.
• 💰 Bich revolutionized pen pricing, reducing costs significantly and making pens accessible to people with limited resources.
• ⚙️ The key to the pen's functionality lies in a tiny tungsten carbide ball that controls ink flow and seals the ink when not in use.
• 🔬 Tungsten carbide balls are made by compressing fine powder under heat and pressure, then polished with diamond powder to ensure quality.
• 🧪 The ink used in BIC pens is a precise mixture of pigments, resins, and solvents, analyzed for optimal viscosity.
• 🛠️ The pen's plastic body is made from polypropylene, a durable material molded through injection and extrusion processes.
• ✔️ Quality control is crucial; if more than one ball out of 5,000 is defective, the entire batch is discarded.
• 📦 After assembly, BIC pens are packaged for global distribution, with each cartridge capable of writing up to 2 kilometers.

Q & A

What is the primary reason behind the invention of the ballpoint pen?

The ballpoint pen was invented because the creator wanted a more effective writing instrument compared to fountain pens and pencils, which were not ideal for fast writing.

Who popularized the ballpoint pen and what was his contribution to its affordability?

Marcel Bich popularized the ballpoint pen under the BIC brand, reducing the cost of pens from around $1.70 to just $0.20, making them accessible to a broader audience.

What material is used for the tungsten carbide balls in ballpoint pens and why is it significant?

The tungsten carbide balls are made from a resilient material that is ten times stronger than steel, ensuring durability and longevity for the pens.

Describe the manufacturing process of the tungsten carbide balls.

The tungsten carbide balls are manufactured by subjecting fine powder to heat and immense pressure in a compressor, then polished with lubricating oil and diamond powder to achieve the desired smoothness and spherical shape.

How is the ink for the ballpoint pen formulated?

The ink is a precise blend of pigments, resins, and solvents, containing 10% to 31% oil-based solvent, and is analyzed for density to ensure it flows smoothly without being too thick or watery.

What type of plastic is used for the pen's barrel and how is it formed?

The pen's barrel is made from polypropylene, a material that withstands extreme temperatures and impacts, and is formed through an injection molding process.

What assembly processes are involved in creating a BIC pen?

The assembly involves inserting the tungsten carbide ball into the tip, filling the plastic tube with ink, attaching the tip to the cartridge, and ensuring all components, including caps and plugs, are in place.

What feature allows retractable BIC pens to function properly?

Retractable BIC pens include a spring and a cam mechanism that enables the retractable feature, allowing the pen tip to extend and retract smoothly.

How long can a BIC pen write continuously?

A BIC pen can write a straight line without stopping or running out of ink for over 2 kilometers.

What is the global impact of BIC pen production?

BIC produces billions of pens each year, and in the United States alone, approximately 1 billion disposable pens are used annually.