Overall, the production involves two main stages: manufacturing the pencil lead and preparing the wooden casing. These two components are then combined, shaped and finished to create the final product.
In the first stage, pencil leads are made by mixing ground graphite with clay and water to form graphite dough. This mixture is then put into a forming press, which produces long, thin graphite rods. After that, the rods are cut into individual leads and dried.
At the same time, the wooden cases are prepared. Pieces of wood are cut into slats, and grooves are made in them. The slats are then heated in an oven at 800°C. Glue is applied to the grooved slats, and the dried leads are placed into the grooves. Another slat is placed on top, creating a “sandwich” structure.
In the final stage, the combined slats are cut into individual pencils. They are then processed in a shaping machine to create a smooth finish. The result is a completed lead pencil ready for use.