Frequently asked questions about PILOT’s product
Frequently asked questions about PILOT’s product
Frequently asked questions about PILOT’s product
Ballpoint Pen
Please tell me the types of ballpoint pens and their features.
oil ballpoint pen
A handy and highly practical ballpoint pen. It has the following characteristics: it is resistant to volatilization and drying, the written characters do not easily deteriorate, it has a long writing distance, and it is ideal for copying slips. Compared to water-based or gel ink, it has a slightly heavier writing feel.
Gel ink ballpoint pen (water-based)
By adding a gelling agent to the water-based ink, the viscosity is usually high, but this ballpoint pen has the characteristic of reducing the viscosity when writing to the same level as a water-based ballpoint pen. It has the advantage of being able to write dark and clear characters with light pressure, and with little smudging.
water-based ballpoint pen
You can write dark and clear characters with light pen pressure. Because the ink penetrates the paper and creates handwriting, it bleeds more easily than oil-based ink. Not suitable for duplicate slips.
Please tell me how a typical ballpoint pen works.
Ballpoint pens are designed to allow you to write by rotating the ball at the nib by pressing the nib against the paper and transferring the ink that adheres to the ball surface to the paper inside the nib (tip).
Please tell me how to store my ballpoint pen.
For retractable ballpoint pens
Store the retractable ballpoint pen with the nib firmly in the main body and avoid places with high temperatures, humidity, or direct sunlight.
Store the pen vertically or horizontally with the tip facing down.
*If the pen tip is protruding, poor writing or ink leakage may occur.
For cap-type ballpoint pens
For cap-type ballpoint pens, close the cap completely and store away from high temperature, high humidity, and direct sunlight.
Store it vertically or horizontally with the cap facing up.
*If the cap is loose, poor writing may occur.
What are the causes of a ballpoint pen not being able to write?
The main causes of a ballpoint pen not being able to write are:
(1) Air entrapment, (2) Tip tip breakage, (3) Paper fibers/coat clogging, and (4) Ink deterioration.
In addition to the above, there is also another reason: the pen tip is damaged (the ball falls off).
“Damaged pen tip (dropped ball)” Some ballpoint pens have a built-in spring in the tip. This spring constantly pushes the ball and closes the gap between the tip of the pen (pen tip) and the ball, preventing ink from leaking, volatilizing, and drying. When writing, the ball is pushed, the spring contracts, and ink flows out from the gap. Therefore, if the ball comes off, the “end of the spring” may appear from the tip of the pen, making it look like there is a wire inside the pen.
There is no way to restore the ink output of a ballpoint pen once it has stopped writing.
Why does air get into the tip of a ballpoint pen?
Ballpoint pens normally emit ink by force of gravity pushing the ink toward the nib. However, if you try to write with the pen tip pointing above the horizontal, gravity will act in the opposite direction to the writing surface, so the ink will not come out of the pen tip and the ball will spin idly, drawing in air. It will end.
Why does the pen tip and paper get dirty when I draw a line with a ballpoint pen?
With a ballpoint pen, the ink that adheres to the surface of the ball at the tip of the pen is transferred to paper as the ball rotates, creating handwriting.
There would be no problem if all the ink that adhered to the surface of the ball and came out was transferred to the paper surface, but due to the structure, some ink is not transferred and remains on the edge of the ball.
The ink remaining at this edge cannot return to the pen tip and falls from the pen tip onto the paper in a state similar to an ink pool, and when your hand rubs against it, the ink spreads and sticks to the pen tip and hand. Storing them away can cause stains.
In particular, conditions that can cause ink to remain on the edge of the ball include
・Low writing (writing angle of 60 degrees or less)
, and low writing pressure .
There is something like a wire coming out of the tip of the pen, what is this?
This is a symptom of “damaged pen tip (dropped ball)”.
Some ballpoint pens have a built-in spring in the tip of the pen. This spring constantly pushes the ball and closes the gap between the tip of the pen (pen tip) and the ball, preventing ink from leaking, volatilizing, and drying. When writing, the ball is pushed, the spring contracts, and ink flows out from the gap. Therefore, if the ball comes off, the “end of the spring” may appear from the tip of the pen, making it look like there is a wire inside the pen.
Why do my silicone grips become soft, sticky or swollen?
Silicone and elastomer are often used in the grips of writing instruments. These materials contain countless air bubbles, so they have a moderate amount of elasticity when squeezed, and are less tiring even when used for long periods of time. However, as hand oil or the solvent from the hand cream you are using gradually seeps into the air bubbles, they may become sticky, swell, or become deformed over time. This is a phenomenon called “swelling,” which is somewhat unavoidable due to the nature of the material.
I stained my clothes with ink. Can I wash it myself?
Because our ink focuses on preservability, it is extremely difficult to remove ink from clothing, leather products, etc. In addition, the treatment method will differ depending on the adhesion situation and fiber, so please do not wash it yourself, but consult a cleaning shop. At that time, we recommend that you tell them the type of ink.
My child scribbled on the wallpaper with a pen. Please tell me how to get it.
If the wall is a non-permeable surface, it can be removed with alcohol (ethanol), but if the wall has a colored pattern, the pattern may be wiped off along with the ink.
It may also seep into the wallpaper itself, so please consult a professional house cleaning company.
My child licked the ink, is it okay?
Even if your child’s tongue is stained with ink, it is unlikely to have any immediate health effects. Rinse your child’s mouth several times with tap water or wipe it with wet gauze to monitor your child’s physical condition. Depending on your child’s condition, please visit a medical institution. Please contact us if your medical institution requests a safety data sheet.
How long is handwriting stored?
Ink handwriting written with an oil-based ballpoint pen can be stored for a long period of time as it will not fade easily under normal storage conditions.
If you store it without exposing it to light, the handwriting will be preserved semi-permanently. In addition, water-based ballpoint pens and gel ink ballpoint pens that use pigments have light and water resistance that are equal to or better than oil-based ballpoint pens.
Are there any ballpoint pens you recommend for official documents?
When using for official documents, the ink of the ballpoint pen used must meet the quality requirements (for official documents) in the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) for water resistance and light resistance. With the exception of our Frixion series, we recommend black ink ballpoint pens as they meet these requirements.
Where can I check the manufacturing date of the refill?
On the surface of the refill, there is a four-digit number indicating the date of manufacture.
The year of manufacture is indicated in the Western calendar, the last two digits of the four-digit year are indicated, and the month of manufacture is indicated in two digits.
example)
2001…Made in January 2020
1910…Made in October 2019
Mechanical Pencil
Even if I knock, the wick won't come out.
Possible causes of the lead not coming out are as follows.
Are you inserting too much core?
If you put too much wick into the main body, it may get clogged and the wick may not come out. Depending on the shape of the main body, 2 to 4 is the appropriate number.
Is the core diameter incorrect?
If you insert a core with a diameter different from the core diameter displayed on the main unit, it will not function properly even if you knock it. Be sure to use a refill with a core diameter that matches the main body.
There is a possibility of core clogging.
There may be short broken cores or core fragments stuck in the pipe of the cap or the three-part part of the chuck. Remove the cap and push it out with a spare core to remove it. If there is a short lead left in the chuck part, remove the lead while knocking the knob in the same way. If you apply too much force, it may cause the chuck to malfunction, so please be careful when handling it.
If the problem still does not improve, please contact your local retailer or customer service center.
When I try to write, my core gets lost.
We will introduce you to the causes of the core becoming loose and how to recover from each.
If the lead held is short
→ Remove the lead from the pen tip.
If pieces of the core get stuck between the chucks and the chuck does not close completely.
→ Remove the cap and remove it with a new core.
If powder from the core adheres to the part that holds the core of the zipper, the core becomes slippery and comes loose.
→ Remove the adhering powder by blowing on it. Please be careful when handling the zipper.
If you are using a lead that is thinner than the lead diameter that is compatible with the mechanism installed in the Sharp main body.
→ Replace the core with one that has the core diameter according to the specifications. If the problem still does not recover, please contact our customer service department .
Please tell me how a typical mechanical pencil works.
Mechanical pencils are designed so that when you knock on the knob, the nib chuck opens and the lead is drawn out.
Please tell us about the unique mechanical pencil mechanism.
Friendly & knock type]
There is a weight in the wick tank, and by shaking it, it pushes the chuck and produces a single knock. There is no need to change your hand to take out the lead while writing. It was developed by Pilot and has been on sale since 1978.
[Tip chuck type (Grance etc.)]
In addition to the regular chuck that allows the lead to be fed out smoothly, there is also a chuck at the tip that holds the lead, allowing you to use up every last millimeter of the lead. Even if you use up the first wick, the next wick will come out immediately, so there is no need to remove the remaining wick.
[Automatic type]
When the wick becomes short, the wick will automatically pay out. (If the remaining wick becomes short, knocking is required)
[Double action & knock type]
The pen tip and cap can be stored in the writing instrument itself and carried around to prevent deformation due to dropping.
[Guide pipe sliding type]
The pen tip can be stored and carried to prevent deformation due to dropping.
[For simple drawing]
The guide pipe that holds the lead is long, allowing you to write with less wobbling of the lead.
[Active suspension function]
Even if strong pressure is applied to the pen, the pen tip will absorb the impact and the lead will not break easily.
[Lasichi sign]
This function notifies you when it is time to replace the lead when there is only one spare lead left.
What should I do if the wick becomes clogged?
There may be short broken cores or core fragments stuck in the pipe of the cap or the three-part part of the chuck. Remove the cap and push it out with a spare core to remove it. If there is a short lead left in the chuck part, remove the lead while knocking the knob in the same way. If you apply too much force, it may cause the chuck to malfunction, so please be careful when handling it.
If the problem still does not improve, please contact your local retailer or customer service.
What should I do if the wick becomes clogged? (For Mogul Air)
lease check the diagram below.
① Turn the body and remove it.
② Fix the nipple with your fingers and turn the cap to remove it.
③ Press the knob onto a flat, non-slip surface.
④ Pinch the nipple and tightening ring with your fingers and press down to open the chuck.
⑤ Remove the clogged core with a new core, etc. Remove the removed lead from the main body by removing the knob and eraser.
⑥ Attach the cap firmly to the nipple.
⑦ Attach the body. If the problem still does not recover, please contact our customer service department.
Why do my silicone grips become soft, sticky or swollen?
Silicone and elastomer are often used in the grips of writing instruments. These materials contain countless air bubbles, so they have a moderate amount of elasticity when squeezed, and are less tiring even when used for long periods of time. However, as hand oil or the solvent from the hand cream you are using gradually seeps into the air bubbles, they may become sticky, swell, or become deformed over time. This is a phenomenon called “swelling,” which is somewhat unavoidable due to the nature of the material.
Can I use up the sharp lead to the end?
Normally, if the lead becomes too short, the chuck will not be able to hold it and it will fall off from the chuck. As a result, the length of the core from the chuck to the cap remains. Mechanical pencils that use a tip chuck type have a chuck at the tip of the cap that holds the lead, so you can use it to the last millimeter. Also, even if you use up the first wick, the next wick comes out immediately, so there is no need to remove the remaining wick.
PT. PILOT Pen Marketing Indonesia
Pakuwon Tower, 9th Floor Jl. Casablanca Kav.88,
Jakarta Selatan 12870 Jakarta, Indonesia