Design and development of a pencil for

Engineers and artists

By

Shahid Ahmad

Shaheer Ali

Ali Murtaza

Sameer Pervaiz

A project report submitted to DR. Hamid Ullah at UET Peshawar g

Department of Mechanical Engineering

University of Engineering and Technology

Peshawar, Pakistan

August 2023
 Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Motivation of Project ................................................................................................................. 1

1.3 Objectives................................................................................................................................... 2

1.4 Scope .......................................................................................................................................... 2

1.5 Constraints ................................................................................................................................. 2

1.6 Target or Lead Users ................................................................................................................. 2

1.7 Milestones and Timeline ............................................................................................................ 2

1.8 Assumptions ............................................................................................................................... 3

1.9 Project Report Organization ...................................................................................................... 3

Chapter 2: Literature Review ........................................................................................................... 4

2.1 History ....................................................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Pencils Classifications ............................................................................................................... 5

2.2.1 Lead Pencils: .................................................................................................................... 6

2.2.2 F Pencils: .......................................................................................................................... 7

2.2.3 HB Pencils: ....................................................................................................................... 7

2.2.4 Mechanical Pencils: .......................................................................................................... 7

2.2.5 Standard Mechanical Pencils: ........................................................................................... 7

2.2.6 Diameter-Specific Mechanical Pencils: ............................................................................ 7

2.2.7 Clutch Pencils: .................................................................................................................. 7

2.2.8 Drafting Pencils: ............................................................................................................... 7

2.2.9 Built-in Erasers: ................................................................................................................ 8

2.3 Material used ............................................................................................................................. 8

2.3.1 Lead Pencils ..................................................................................................................... 8

2.3.2 Mechanical Pencils: .......................................................................................................... 8

2.3.3 Drafting Pencils (Technical Pencils): ............................................................................... 9

2.3.4 Additional Components: ................................................................................................... 9

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Chapter 3: Design Methodology ..................................................................................................... 10

Chapter 4: Design ............................................................................................................................ 14

4.1 Conceptual Design ................................................................................................................... 14

4.2 Design Factors ......................................................................................................................... 14

4.2.2 Design Cycle .................................................................................................................. 15

4.3 Selection of type of Pencil ........................................................................................................ 16

4.4 Selection of Material ................................................................................................................ 16

4.5 PTC Creo Parametric Models ................................................................................................. 16

4.6 Final Design............................................................................................................................. 18

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Future Recommendations................................................................. 19

5.1 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 19

5.2 Future Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 19

List of Figures
Figure 2-1 Pencil used by Romans ........................................................................................................ 5

Figure 2-2 Different Graphite Cores .................................................................................................... 6

Figure 3-1 Mission Statement .............................................................................................................. 10

Figure 3-2 Need Matrix ........................................................................................................................ 10

Figure 3-3 Preliminary Specifications ................................................................................................ 11

Figure 3-4 Competitive Benchmarking .............................................................................................. 11

Figure 3-5 Different Concepts ............................................................................................................. 12

Figure 3-6 Gantt Chart ........................................................................................................................ 13

Figure 4-1 Design Cycle ....................................................................................................................... 15

Figure 4-2 Assembly of the Drafting pencil........................................................................................ 17

Figure 4-3 Grip of the Pencil ............................................................................................................... 17

Figure 4-4 Head .................................................................................................................................... 17

List of Tables
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Table 4-1 Different Material Properties ............................................................................................. 16

Table 4-2 Final Design ......................................................................................................................... 18

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 Chapter 1: Introduction
According to a well-known saying by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, “The pen is mightier
than the sword," emphasizing the idea that communication, ideas, and creativity have
the potential to be more influential and powerful than violence or force. Communication
is a fundamental aspect that differentiates humans from other animals. While many
animal species also exhibit forms of communication, the complexity, variety, and depth
of human communication set us apart in several ways like language complexity, cultural
transmission, storytelling and narrative, metacognition and self-reflection, innovation
and creativity, and especially symbolic representation. There are many ways of
communication among humans in which written one is a prominent form. The pen and
pencils are the major tools used in this type of communication.

Both pen and pencil are used for written communication but our focus is only on pencil.
In the same way, different type of pencils is available in the market like lead or wood
pencil, mechanical pencil, and drafting pencil. We are going to design a pencil for the
engineers and artists who work on sketches, drawings, flow charts, diagrams, and art.
So, after identifying customers ' needs and then fulfilling them through design with all
the specifications, we get that drafting pencil is the best fit.

1.1 Problem Statement

A pencil is one of the key tools that is present in the kit of engineers, designers, and
artists. These people want neat and clean work which is somehow difficult with lead
pencils due to the repeated sharpening need of the pencil. The tip of the pencil
deteriorated again and again which is a major problem. So, we work on a pencil that
does not need any sharpening, has a fixed tip length, is easy to work with, has variation
in graphite core with a clear message about which one is used, and in the end makes it
budget-friendly.

1.2 Motivation of Project

Whenever engineers, designers, or artists work with a pencil, the sharpening of the
pencil and, the variable length of the tip due to deterioration and cost are big issues. So,
there is a need for a pencil or pencil casing to be more specific which can be used
smoothly with different graphite cores with a constant tip length. At the same time, the

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pencil should also have a clear symbol that shows the type of graphite core. So, our
motivation is to make a budget-friendly and smooth grip pencil for the engineers and
designers.

1.3 Objectives
Objectives of our project are mentioned below:

a) Design of the casing of drafting pencil while considering aesthetic and

ergonomics needs
b) Design a mechanism for the change of symbol according to the graphite core
c) Design a proper grip for the user
d) Selection of materials which reduce the cost
e) Fabrication of the drafting pencil
f) Testing of the drafting pencil
g) Taking user feedback

1.4 Scope
The project will focus on the design of the physical drafting pencil; digital interfaces or
smart pencil features will not be included. It will focus on the fixed tip of the graphite
core, using different cores at the same time with proper indication of it. While aesthetics
and ergonomics are also important, the project emphasizes outlook, functional aspects,
and user experience. It will not involve the production of the drafting pencil on a large
scale; the focus is on creating a functional prototype.

1.5 Constraints
The project is for education purposes only, and we have a limited budget, so we will
not go for the manufacturing of the drafting pencil as it requires huge cost and time.
We will only focus on the CAD and CAE.

1.6 Target or Lead Users

Professional architects, engineers, designers, artists, and students who require a high-
quality drafting pencil for precise and intricate work.

1.7 Milestones and Timeline

Preliminary design and specification completion: Weeks 1-2

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CAD modeling: Weeks 3-4

Analytical prototyping: Weeks 5-6

Reporting: Weeks 7-8

1.8 Assumptions
We will not go for the manufacturing of the drafting pencil, so, it is assumed that after
analytical prototyping with CAD and CAE, we will find the feasibility of the drafting
pencil within the budget.

1.9 Project Report Organization

The first chapter of this thesis explains the introduction, motivation, objectives,
problem statement, assumptions, constraints milestones, lead users, and scope of the
drafting pencil. The second chapter summarizes the literature review done for this
project. The third chapter elaborates on the design of this project. In the end, there is
result & discussions, a conclusion, future recommendation, and references.

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 Chapter 2: Literature Review
Communication is a fundamental aspect that differentiates humans from other animals.
While many animals possess the ability to communicate in various ways, human
communication is marked by its complexity, diversity, and sophistication. Humans can
communicate in different ways verbal, non-verbal, written, visual, and digital. Through
written communication, we not only communicate to the direct audience but also to
those who are not present at that time. Engineers communicate to their workers and
clients through drawings and sketches which is a form of written communication.
Engineers and designers solve problems by writing them. Artists show their art through
written communication. Written communication uses something to write with. Here we
are not focusing on digital writing. In physical writing, we need paper, pen, pencil, and
many other things. Here, we are only focusing on the pencil that is used by the
engineers, designers, and artists. There are different types of pencils available in the
market like lead pencils, mechanical pencils, and drafting pencils with a lot of different
casings and graphite cores from soft to very hard.

2.1 History
Pencil has a very wide history. At the very ancient times, people used different things
for written communication. The core of a pencil, confusingly named the ‘lead’, is
formed from a naturally occurring element known as graphite, discovered in the Lake
District of England in the early 1500s. Graphite is not the first example of an element
hewn from the ground and used as a mark-making tool – this process dates back to the
very first examples of human art seen in the prehistoric cave paintings which were
created using both charcoal and chalk in the era between 40,000 and 10,000 BC. These
substances were ground and mixed into a paste with either saliva or animal fats and
smeared onto the porous cave walls. So important were these prehistoric paints that the
painters traveled far and wide to obtain the pigments: “In every locality where
prehistoric sites have been discovered from, Texas to South Africa, trails lead to near
and distant hematite deposits where man mined. Historians have deduced that the
impetus behind all mining activities was prehistoric man’s need for ochre pigments.
Cavemen might have traveled as far as 25 miles to obtain iron earth pigments for their
paint in the Lascaux area.”

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The Roman Lead Stylus One theory about the origin of the term lead pencil lies with
the ancient Romans who used styluses made from lead to scratch letters into tablets that
were covered in a thin layer of wax. In the same way as many pencils hold an eraser at
the tip for removing errors, the lead stylus had a flattened end that could be used for
smoothing over and therefore erasing the unwanted text. Marking text onto a wax
surface limited the early Roman script to straight lines, just as the first writing system,
Sumerian Cuneiform was composed of triangular and other straight-edged shapes and
symbols. In time, the lead stylus evolved to be used with papyrus, upon which the lead
would leave a faint mark. One distinct advantage of the lead stylus over reed pens was
that they did not require a secondary ink source. Whilst paper was first invented in
China in the first century AD, it did not reach Europe until the 8th century and was not
widely available until the first paper mills were built in the 13th century. This meant
that the development of ink and brush writing systems that were very popular in Asia
was not as expansive in Europe.

Figure 2-1 Pencil used by Romans

2.2 Pencils Classifications

Pencils can be classified into different categories based on their mechanism, intended
use, and features. Here's a detailed classification of pencils into lead pencils, mechanical
pencils, and drafting pencils:

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2.2.1 Lead Pencils:

Lead pencils, also known as traditional or wooden pencils, are the most common type
of pencils. They consist of a wooden casing that holds a core made of a mixture of
graphite and clay. Lead pencils are available in various hardness levels, which affect
the darkness and smoothness of the marks they produce.

2.2.1.1 H and B Pencils:

The primary difference between H and B pencil types is the hardness of their Graphite
component. B is a softer pencil than its counterpart because of its graphite
concentration, meaning that the marks it leaves on paper are darker and thicker. In
addition, these pencils are softer, making them create the perfect contact on paper to
leave more graphite than their alternatives. On the other hand, H pencils have extremely
tough graphite; hence, achieving gray shades and thin outlays. the ideal sketching
pencils and fit other applications, requiring a writing tool to create light marks quickly
cleared using an eraser. In H pencils, the lead’s hardness increases with the number on
the H pencil variant; 4H pencils are harder than 2H pencils, and the lightest pencil
features the hardest lead. The range from 8H to 8B is available in the market.

Figure 2-2 Different Graphite Cores

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2.2.2 F Pencils:

F stands for "fine point" and offers a balance between H and B pencils, making it
suitable for general writing and drawing.

2.2.3 HB Pencils:

HB is the most common and balanced pencil grade, often used for everyday writing and
drawing.

2.2.4 Mechanical Pencils:

Mechanical pencils, also called propelling or automatic pencils, use a refillable

mechanism to advance a thin lead core. These pencils eliminate the need for sharpening,
and they provide a consistent line width. Mechanical pencils are popular among
students, professionals, and anyone who requires precision.

2.2.5 Standard Mechanical Pencils:

These use thin lead refills available in various sizes, typically 0.5mm and 0.7mm.

2.2.6 Diameter-Specific Mechanical Pencils:

Some mechanical pencils are designed for specific lead diameters, such as 0.3mm or
0.9mm, catering to different writing and drawing preferences.

2.2.7 Clutch Pencils:

Clutch pencils have a mechanism that clamps onto thicker lead sticks, allowing for a
wider range of lead sizes and artistic applications.

2.2.8 Drafting Pencils:

Drafting pencils, also known as technical pencils, are designed for precise drafting and
technical drawing. They often have features that cater to professionals in fields like
architecture and engineering. Drafting pencils often have a retractable metal sleeve or
pipe that provides a consistent length of exposed lead. This prevents the lead from
breaking during intricate drawings. Drafting pencils feature precise mechanisms to
advance the lead, allowing for precise control over line thickness.

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2.2.9 Built-in Erasers:

Many drafting pencils come with built-in erasers, making it convenient to correct
mistakes without switching tools.

2.3 Material used

The materials used in pencils can vary depending on the type of pencil, its intended
purpose, and its manufacturing process. Here are the main materials used in different
types of pencils:

2.3.1 Lead Pencils

The parts and their materials which are used in the lead pencils are discussed below:

2.3.1.1 Wood Casing:

The outer shell of a lead pencil is typically made of wood. Cedar wood is commonly
used due to its smoothness, durability, and ease of sharpening.

2.3.1.2 Graphite Core:

The core of a lead pencil contains a mixture of graphite and clay. The proportions of
these materials determine the pencil's hardness or softness. The graphite provides the
writing or drawing medium, while the clay helps to bind the mixture together.

2.3.2 Mechanical Pencils:

The parts and their materials which are used in the mechanical pencils are discussed
below:

2.3.2.1 Metal or Plastic Casing:

Mechanical pencils can have casings made of various materials, including metal,
plastic, or a combination of both. Metal casings are often used for durability and a
premium feel, while plastic casings can be lightweight and colorful.

2.3.2.2 Mechanism Components:

The internal mechanisms of a mechanical pencil are often made of metal or plastic,
including the lead advancement mechanism, eraser holder, and grip components.

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2.3.3 Drafting Pencils (Technical Pencils):

The parts and their materials that are used in the clutch or drafting pencil pencils are
discussed below:

2.3.3.1 Metal Casing:

Drafting pencils are commonly made with metal casings, often aluminum or other
lightweight metals. The metal casing provides durability and stability for precise
drafting.

2.3.3.2 Lead Sleeve:

Drafting pencils have a retractable metal sleeve (also called a pipe) that protects the
lead while ensuring consistent line thickness during technical drawing.

2.3.3.3 Eraser Components:

The erasers found on the end of pencils are typically made of a rubber-like material,
often synthetic rubber or a combination of rubber and plastic. These erasers are
designed to cleanly erase graphite marks without damaging the paper.

2.3.3.4 Eraser Holders:

In mechanical and drafting pencils, erasers are housed in holders made of plastic or
metal, which allows for easy replacement.

2.3.4 Additional Components:

Some additional components are used with the pencil, in which some are given below:

2.3.4.1 Ferrule:

The metal piece that holds the eraser in place on wooden pencils is usually made of
aluminum or other lightweight metals.

2.3.4.2 Clips and End Caps:

Mechanical and drafting pencils may have clips and end caps made of metal, plastic,
or other materials, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes.

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 Chapter 3: Design Methodology
The method that we use to design and develop a pencil that best suit the work of
engineers, artists and designers, is totally based on the PDD. First, we go for need
identification by doing market surveys, individual interviews and group discussions.
We get our mission statement as well as the need matrix as shown in Figure 3-1Error!
Reference source not found. and in Figure 3-2.

Figure 3-1 Mission Statement

Figure 3-2 Need Matrix

The preliminary specification for our product which we extracted from the need matrix
is shown in Figure 3-3 and at the same time, the competitive benchmarking is also
shown in Figure 3-4 which show that what our competitors offer in the market. The
house of quality is generated on the basis of our target specs which shows us that which
attributes are more important.

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Figure 3-3 Preliminary Specifications

Figure 3-4 Competitive Benchmarking

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Three different concepts were generated. The first one is knurled grip concept, the
second one is hexagonal grip concept and the last one is rubber grip concept which are
shown in Figure 3-5.

Figure 3-5 Different Concepts

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At the end, to schedule and manage the project well, we produce a Gantt Chart which
show the timing of each task.

Figure 3-6 Gantt Chart

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 Chapter 4: Design
Our main task is to design a pencil that fulfills the needs of engineers, artists, and
designers. We are not working on the manufacturing of the pencil.

4.1 Conceptual Design

The first step in designing the pencil is to know the market needs, to know what is
already available, and to know what our competitors have already in the market. After
having some knowledge about the market needs and competitors, we will work to create
some conceptual designs. After creation, we will select one among them based on some
merit which we will develop after thoroughly studying markets and literature.

4.2 Design Factors

There are many parameters, based on which the pencil can be designed. The three main
parameters that are selected for the design of the pencil are the ergonomics and aesthetic
of the pencil, fulfilling the market lead user needs, and the overall cost. It is a trade-off
among these parameters. For example, If we only focus on the aesthetic and ergonomics
of the pencil by using brass instead of plastic in the clutch, rings, and outer casing then
the cost will be high and vice versa.

The detail of each parameter and how it affects the design is described one by one.

4.2.1.1 Aesthetic Needs

An aesthetic design relates to the outward appearance of a product. It is what makes a

product attractive or appealing to customers and visual appeal is one of the key
considerations that influence the decision of consumers to prefer one product over
another. The aesthetic characteristics of the drafting pencil include sleek and minimalist
design, metal casings, precise etching, laser-engraved markings, colors, and packaging.
Focusing more on aesthetic needs will inversely affect the cost of the design.

4.2.1.2 Material Selection

Material selection for the core, mechanisms, and casing is one of the key steps that is
related to the aesthetic needs as well as to the overall cost of the pencil. The common
materials that are used in the casing and mechanisms are lightweight such as plastic,
aluminum, and brass.

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4.2.1.3 Cost

The cost is also a key parameter in the design of drafting pencils. So, the material and
other components are selected while keeping this factor in mind that the overall cost
must be within the available budget.

4.2.2 Design Cycle

After the literature review of the pencil, market surveys, and interviewing lead users,
the design cycle is developed which is shown in Figure 4-1.

Market Needs

Specifications of the
pencils

Pencil Type Selection

Material Selection

Mechanism Selection

Cad Modeling of
various concepts
Cost Estimation

Selecting one design

Final Design

Figure 4-1 Design Cycle

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4.3 Selection of type of Pencil
Different types of pencils were studied and different conclusions were drawn on their
pros and cons. Every design has its advantages and disadvantages. Our objectives
design needs some special features, so the comparison is made among all the designs
and finally drafting pencil was selected for this project

4.4 Selection of Material

There are many materials under consideration for the casing, rings, clutch, head, core,
and spring such as plastic, brass, aluminum, and steel. To minimize the cost of the
pencil, we will use plastic for the casing, rings, and core but for the clutch, we will use
brass. The material of the spring and core will be steel and graphite respectively.

Table 4-1 Different Material Properties

Material Selection

Selection Criteria

Name Strength Less Easily Dist. Total

Of Of Density Cost Machining Available of E. Points

signal
Material Material

10 10 10 10 10 10 60

Acrylic 7 8 7 8 9 9 48

Carbon 10 8 6 8 7 6 45
Fiber

Aluminum 8 4 8 8 7 6 41

Wood 2 9 9 5 8 7 40

ABS 5 8 8 7 8 7 43

4.5 PTC Creo Parametric Models

There are a lot of parts that are used in the assembly of the drafting pencil but to
minimize the size of the report, only the assembly and its exploded view will be shown
here. The complete model of the drafting pencil is shown in Figure 4-2

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 Figure 4-2 Assembly of the Drafting pencil

In Figure 4-3 Grip of the Pencil is shown which is the main part considering the
aesthetic and ergonomic needs. This part will be made of plastic instead of rubber to be
more reliable.

Figure 4-3 Grip of the Pencil

The head of the pencil which also contains the indicator of the core is shown in Figure
4-4. This part also contains the eraser and cleaner tool. The material that will be used
for its manufacturing is plastic in order to make it cheap.

Figure 4-4 Head

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4.6 Final Design
The complete picture of the overall design is shown in Table 4-2. The type of pencil
selected, the material of various parts, mechanism type, and eraser position all are listed.

Table 4-2 Final Design

Parameter Choice
Sr. No

1 Pencil Drafting Pencil

2 Mechanism Clutch Mechanism

3 Outer Casing material Plastic

4 Ring material plastic

5 Clutch material Brass

6 Eraser Inside the head

7 Core material Graphite

8 Core Indicator On the periphery of the head

9 Storage Capacity of graphite core 3

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 Chapter 5: Conclusion and Future
Recommendations
This chapter is related to some important conclusions resulting from the work of the
project. Furthermore, it contains the problems that were faced during this project and
offers some recommendations for other students and researchers working on similar
projects.

5.1 Conclusion
Based on the analytical model, we achieved a lot of specifications and fulfilled the
needs of the lead users. The engineers, designers, and artists demand a pencil that is
easy to use, more aesthetic, and ergonomic, in which different graphite cores can be
used from 6H to 6B, indicator of the core, which has built eraser, cleaner tool, and
which is budget-friendly. We worked on all these things. The pencil is budget-friendly
due to the use of cheap material e.g., plastic, it has a built-in eraser along with a cleaner
pin in the head cap and is very aesthetic because of its outer design and color variation.
The pencil has the storage capacity of a three-graphite core. The user can use it with
different graphite cores with an indicator at the head cap. He or she will be able to
control the length of the tip of the graphite core.

5.2 Future Recommendations

At the end of this, we felt the need for many future recommendations so it is
recommended to extend this project to the point it can become a remarkable device.
Some of the recommendations that may help in expanding this research are as follows:

• We did not manufacture the prototype of the pencil to test it and get the feedback
of the lead users. So, it is recommended to manufacture it and get the feedback
for further refinement.
• The pencil has the capacity to store three graphite cores. So, it is recommended
to increase with keeping in mind that it will increase the overall size of the
pencil.
• The change of graphite core is a manual task, so it will become very ergonomic
if someone make a mechanism for it.

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