Product Lifecycle
Product Introduction
For this project we were asked to choose a product and follow it's "lifecycle" to see the process of how it is made and used. The product I chose to investigate was a wooden pencil.
Timeline
1. Raise and Extract
The first step in a pencil's lifecycle is to raise and extract the raw materials. Pencils are composed of wood, graphite, an eraser, and a small amount of metal. The wood used for pencils is typically cedar, and this is acquired by cutting trees and harvesting them. Graphite is mined using both surface and subsurface mining methods. The raw material used to make the eraser is latex, which is extracted from under the bark of a rubber tree. Another way of obtaining raw materials for the eraser is to use materials derived fro petroleum. The metal used to hold the eraser on the pencil is mined.
The first step in a pencil's lifecycle is to raise and extract the raw materials. Pencils are composed of wood, graphite, an eraser, and a small amount of metal. The wood used for pencils is typically cedar, and this is acquired by cutting trees and harvesting them. Graphite is mined using both surface and subsurface mining methods. The raw material used to make the eraser is latex, which is extracted from under the bark of a rubber tree. Another way of obtaining raw materials for the eraser is to use materials derived fro petroleum. The metal used to hold the eraser on the pencil is mined.
2. Process
The second step in a pencil's lifecycle is to process the raw materials. The wood is cut into thin slabs as thick as the pencil. The graphite is mixed with water and clay to form the pencil lead. The latex/ rubber is mixed with chemicals and colored pigments to form the eraser. The metal is cut and formed into a ferrule, the small metal part on the pencil.
The second step in a pencil's lifecycle is to process the raw materials. The wood is cut into thin slabs as thick as the pencil. The graphite is mixed with water and clay to form the pencil lead. The latex/ rubber is mixed with chemicals and colored pigments to form the eraser. The metal is cut and formed into a ferrule, the small metal part on the pencil.
3. Manufacture
The third step in a pencil's lifecycle is to manufacture the raw materials. To manufacture the raw materials first the wood has to be cut in half. In each slat of wood small grooves are cut for the graphite to be placed in. After the graphite has been extruded, or made into the thin cylinders, it is placed into the grooves. Once the graphite is in the grooves a slat of wood without graphite in it is placed on top and glued to the bottom piece. When the glue is dried and the graphite is in the grooves the wood around the graphite is cut into the pencil's shape. The eraser and ferrule are attached to one end of the pencil and any other details are added.
The third step in a pencil's lifecycle is to manufacture the raw materials. To manufacture the raw materials first the wood has to be cut in half. In each slat of wood small grooves are cut for the graphite to be placed in. After the graphite has been extruded, or made into the thin cylinders, it is placed into the grooves. Once the graphite is in the grooves a slat of wood without graphite in it is placed on top and glued to the bottom piece. When the glue is dried and the graphite is in the grooves the wood around the graphite is cut into the pencil's shape. The eraser and ferrule are attached to one end of the pencil and any other details are added.
4. Use
The fourth step in a pencil's lifecycle is to use the pencil. After the point is sharpened the graphite is visible and useable. Pencils are used to write on materials, primarily paper. Pencil can last a long time or short amount of time depending on the frequency and amount of use. Less use means the pencil can last longer.
The fourth step in a pencil's lifecycle is to use the pencil. After the point is sharpened the graphite is visible and useable. Pencils are used to write on materials, primarily paper. Pencil can last a long time or short amount of time depending on the frequency and amount of use. Less use means the pencil can last longer.
5. Dispose
The fifth and final step in a pencil's lifecycle is the disposal of the used pencil. Usually after a pencil is used completely there is not much left. These ends are often thrown away where they are taken to a dump or landfill, where the wood decomposes. Some ways to extend the life of the pencil are by recycling or reusing the pencil.
The fifth and final step in a pencil's lifecycle is the disposal of the used pencil. Usually after a pencil is used completely there is not much left. These ends are often thrown away where they are taken to a dump or landfill, where the wood decomposes. Some ways to extend the life of the pencil are by recycling or reusing the pencil.
Pencils can be recycled to make many interesting things, including pieces of art and entertainment.
Cited Sources
http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/product-lifecycle-of-the-pencil
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Pencil.html
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/a/y/ayp5082/Team%20website/Lifecycle%20Pencil.htm
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Pencil.html
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/a/y/ayp5082/Team%20website/Lifecycle%20Pencil.htm
Conclusion Questions
a. The many steps in an object's formation, use, and disposal is meant by the term product lifecycle.
b. It is important for companies who make products to research the product's potential lifecycle because it is helpful to know the process of how it is made, costs, and where the materials come from. There may also be concerns of how it will be disposed and how it will effect the environment.
c. A change I would make to the pencil would be to make the entire product biodegradable. With the entire product biodegradable the small amounts left from the pencil will not harm the environment.
d. I do not think the pencil will become obsolete because there will always be a use for it. People will always need something to write with and it cannot always be a pen. There is the possibility of evolving the pencil, but it will not become obsolete.
e. A tradeoff is having to sacrifice one aspect of a product for another, better aspect.
f. I do not think there were any tradeoffs made in the design phase of the pencil because it is a simple product with not many features.
g. It is important to recycle because the environment could become destroyed and unbearable if enough trash is put into the world. With recycling we are able to lessen the amount of trash.
h. Product designers play a role in recycling because they determine the materials the product is made from and whether or not they are recyclable.
I. Society plays a major role in the recycling effort. They determine if the product is actually recycled. Without their effort to recycle the object, it would never get recycled.
j. To help recycling, I could make sure whenever the opportunity to recycle something occurs, I will take the opportunity.
b. It is important for companies who make products to research the product's potential lifecycle because it is helpful to know the process of how it is made, costs, and where the materials come from. There may also be concerns of how it will be disposed and how it will effect the environment.
c. A change I would make to the pencil would be to make the entire product biodegradable. With the entire product biodegradable the small amounts left from the pencil will not harm the environment.
d. I do not think the pencil will become obsolete because there will always be a use for it. People will always need something to write with and it cannot always be a pen. There is the possibility of evolving the pencil, but it will not become obsolete.
e. A tradeoff is having to sacrifice one aspect of a product for another, better aspect.
f. I do not think there were any tradeoffs made in the design phase of the pencil because it is a simple product with not many features.
g. It is important to recycle because the environment could become destroyed and unbearable if enough trash is put into the world. With recycling we are able to lessen the amount of trash.
h. Product designers play a role in recycling because they determine the materials the product is made from and whether or not they are recyclable.
I. Society plays a major role in the recycling effort. They determine if the product is actually recycled. Without their effort to recycle the object, it would never get recycled.
j. To help recycling, I could make sure whenever the opportunity to recycle something occurs, I will take the opportunity.