Modern computer graphics could not completely replace the work of artists. They still do with pencils on a piece of paper. The “tool” of their work has changed somewhat, it has become convenient and reliable. Regular pencil, collet, automatic, color or simple - they are all in demand and find their customers.
History of creation
The prototype of the writing tool itself appeared in the thirteenth century. Of course, it was not much like a modern model - a thin silver wire on the handle was connected by soldering. More or less resembling a modern pencil appeared in the seventeenth century. Artists fastened graphite rods between narrow planks, tied and wrapped with paper. So the hands did not get dirty, and it was more convenient to hold it.
At the end of the eighteenth century, the French scientist and inventor Nicola Jacques Conte invented the modern model. Then it was improved, first Lothar von Faberkastl solved the rolling problem by proposing a hexagonal shape of the product.
The rational approach of Americans to life prompted Alonso Townsend Cross to think about a more economical use of the graphite rod. During operation, two-thirds of the product is discarded during sharpening. He “hid” the lead in a metal tube and advanced it as necessary to the desired length. Collet pencil - “great-granddaughter” and the simplest modern design of the same metal tube.
Principle of operation
Collet - Zange, translated from German means a fixture for fixing with a clamp objects of a cylindrical shape. The application is very wide: in scalpels, breastplates, on metal and woodworking machines, anchor bolts, various construction tools where reliable fixation is required.
The collet pencil got its name by the mechanism that is used in its manufacture. This is a device of several "petals" tightly wrapping the lead. With the help of a spring, by pressing a button in the upper part of the product, the collet is opened and the lead can be extended to the desired length. After releasing the button, the “petals” are closed and hold the stylus in the desired position.
Collet pencil (2 mm - the most common, there are from 0.1 mm to 5 mm) can be made of various materials. There are wooden, metal, plastic, combined cases. For convenience, rubber inserts can be installed in the girth area. They expand the pencil case and do not allow it to slide in the hand. They differ in the quality of the eraser.
Varieties
A tool designed for applying an image in which you can change the graphite rod an infinite number of times is called a mechanical pencil. Use for drawing, writing, plotting. There are two varieties:
- automatic pencil;
- collet pencil.
In turn, the automatic is divided into several types, depending on the mechanism that feeds the rod:
- screw, feed by turning any part of the body;
- shake-press (shake or press), to feed the rod you need to shake the pencil;
- for the lazy, the button providing the stylus feed is located on the side of the case in the girth area.
The most practical are considered products in which the guide mechanism is not made of plastic. Strong pressure can cause the core to go inside the housing.
Advantages
Consumers are the most independent experts. The goods they use must meet the declared qualities. Here are some of the key strengths that a collet pencil has:
- does not require sharpening;
- the rod can be “pulled” into the case and not be afraid of its breakage during any transportation;
- you can adjust the thickness of the stylus;
- the presence of a removable eraser;
- Pencil traces last longer than ink;
- high reliability when pressed.
Such a device is used by a huge number of people: pupils, students, specialists in production. It is used by artists, both professionals and amateurs. It allows you to draw a contour with a width of only 0.2 mm.
Multipurpose and determines the variety of choices. Mechanical collet pencils are produced by many well-known companies Paper Mate (Mexico); Penac (Japan), Pilot (Japan), Parker (USA), Attache, BIC (France), Pentel (Japan), Koh-I-Noor (Czech Republic), ICO (Hungary), Rotring (Germany). A mechanical pencil of a world famous brand will be an excellent gift for any celebration. A set of collet pencils, simple or colored, will delight both the adult and the child.