Application of Geometric Dimensioning and

Tolerancing (GD&T) to a Ballpoint Pen

GROUP 1: EXTRUDES
Andon Rosato, Jaime Flores, Taylor Sims,
Sivakrish Sivarajah
Papermate Pen

Our pen is composed of 9 total components

This pen has two major states

-> engaged where the point tip is out the

housing

-> disengaged where the point tip is

retracted into the housing
Assembly
Barrel

● Used as the housing of the

Pen, this is what holds the
pen together

● It gives the pen form and

structural support
Barrel Drawing

● Need to apply Straightness (axis)

tolerance so that there isn’t too
much curve in the form of the
overall form

● Need to apply circularity to the end

so that the cap can fit onto it

● Need to apply Profile surface

tolerance to the screw so that the
screw on the cap is aligned
Ink Tube

● The function of the ink

tube is to hold the ink so
you can write with the pen
Ink Tube Drawing

● Need to apply Circularity

tolerance to the surface
because we need to be
able to control size
 Cap

● The function of the cap is to hold the

push button and push button cover in
their proper position, to keep all of the
internal components inside the barrel,
and to provide a convenient way to
store the pen with the clip.

● The cap screws to the barrel

through the helical extrusion.
 Cap Drawing

● Straightness (axis) is
important for the cap so it
can fit inside the barrel.

● Profile (surface) is necessary

for the helical sweep so the
cap and the barrel can screw
together.
● Circularity of the outer
diameter that goes inside
the barrel is necessary to
ensure the cap can slide
into the barrel.
 Ballpoint Tip

● The ballpoint tip serves to

bring the ink to the
ballpoint from the ink tube
through its hollow center.

● The ballpoint tip connects

to the ink tube by fitting
inside of the tube tightly.
 Ballpoint Tip Drawing

● Cylindricity is necessary to ensure the tip

fits inside the ink tube.

● Straightness (axis) is necessary to ensure it

aligns with the ink tube.

● The angularity of the conical tip is

important to ensure proper contact
between the ballpoint and the tip.

● Circularity of the diameter of the conical

tip is necessary to ensure the ballpoint will
be held in place.
 Ballpoint Bearing

● The ballpoint is held at the

edge of the tip and rotates
when pressed to allow an
even flow of ink to leave
the pentip.
 Ballpoint Bearing Drawing

● Profile (surface) is
necessary for this part to
ensure it is a sphere in
order for it to be held in
place.
Push Button

● Important for locking

engagement of the ink tube

● Rotates about the center

axis to slots that are
grooved into the cap
 Push Button drawing

● The GD&T for this part

would be the angularity of
the four equally spaced
teeth and straightness of
axis
Push Button Cover

● This part is a smooth cover

for the push button

● The protrusions are used to

constrain rotation by using
the cap

● The jagged edge is used to

connect the teeth to the
teeth of push button
Push Button Cover Drawing

● GD&T is important for the

angularity of the jagged
edge and straightness of
axis
Grip

● This piece provides high

friction between itself and
the user’s hand.

● It keeps the user’s hand

from sliding while it is
being gripped.
Grip Drawing

● The surface GD&T is

important so that the grip
feels identical from all
holding angles.
Spring

● The spring provides a force

to hold the tip inside the
housing when not in use,
and hold the tip into the
engaged position when the
pen is in use.

● The spring gives a tactile

feedback to the user.
Spring Drawing

● The straightness of the axis

is important so that the
spring winds easily around
the ink tube.
 Conclusion: What we learned

● Advanced modeling techniques

● How to implement GD&T to
necessary components
● How to create coherent
drawings of existing tools
We learned how a pen
works