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I don't really think "innovation" can be defined as replicating manufacturing processes developed 100 years ago. This is simply playing catch up in terms of man
by rfdub 9y ago
I don't really think "innovation" can be defined as replicating manufacturing processes developed 100 years ago. This is simply playing catch up in terms of manufacturing processes and quality control.
- blackguardx 9y agoThere is also the material science of the rolling ball itself. I assume it has similar constraints to high quality bearings.
- nom 9y agoGood point. But if they can't manufacture ballpoint pens, how can they make bearings? Maybe it's due to their small size?
- ohazi 9y agoThis article is talking about the tip casing, not the actual ball.
- blackguardx 9y agoI took that to mean the ball and the housing around it. The casing would function similarly to a bearing race and the ball to well, a bearing ball.
- blackguardx 9y agoBallpoint pens might be a hard problem. The article didn't say they couldn't make them, it said they couldn't make them as well as others.
- nom 9y agoFrom the article, they've been lacking good sources of quality steel and/or the steel manufacturing techniques required to make the tiny and super hard steel balls used in ballpoint pens.