Introduction: Pencil Machine

By Robb's Webiste/Contact info
About: Robb was once an Artist-in-Residence at Autodesk's Pier 9. they went to Carnegie Mellon to study Art. they mostly do tangible artifacts that are often complex. they can be reached at www.robb.cc

The assignment, present a pencil in such a manner as to cause the pencil to elicit a feeling.
 I instantly decided to create a machine that creates pencils.
Having seen a clay extruder in Micheal’s months earlier, I figured thats where I’d start.
 30 man-hours and 70 dollars later I had created a working machine.
-Pulling lever 1 begins extruding yellow Sculpty brand polymer clay in the shape of a hexagon with a 1/4” diameter. the architectural lead holder holds the lead centered as the clay is extruded around it. When the newly-formed clay hexagonal prism reaches the lead holder both ends are cut.
-The second lever is then lifted. The clay-wrapped Graphite stick then drops to a 5 inch wide heat-proof conveyor belt. Via hand crank, the conveyor belt carries the unfinished pencil through a series of guides that center the pencil under a rubber stamp.
-The pencil is then stamped via lever 3 and the belt cranked further. The pencil then enters an overturned toaster.
-lever 4 is then depressed, activating the oven for one minute. The belt is then cranked further until the pencil falls onto the cooling rack. after cooling one minute an eraser is die-cut from a block of rubber. The eraser is then fitted to the pencil end with a half-inch strip of aluminum tape.
The pencil is now ready.


Check out my portfolio at robb.cc