Fountainbel Bulkfiller "first Production Run" Pictures

[ticoun]

It's interesting in concept, but I just don't understand the over-engineering.

The over-engineering is normal, Francis is an engineer after all!

[fountainbel]

I am just curious, as I have asked a similar question asked before. What is the point of making such a complex bulk filler? I asked what stops this from blebbing like an eye dropper, and it was said that today's feeds have been improved where this is a non-issue. However, if that was the case, why not just make it an eyedropper if the goal was to increase the capacity of the pen?

It's interesting in concept, but I just don't understand the over-engineering.

 

Thanks for your critical reaction !

 

Not everybody likes eyedroppers given their inherent clumsy filling procedure and their blotting risks on larger capacity pens

 

This is fact the main reason why various "self-filling" systems were developed over last century

 

The "bulk filler" is a "positive displacement" filling system, hardly comparable with an eyedropper.

 

Alternative "positive displacement" filling systems are the syringe filler and the screw piston filler.

 

Drawback of both these systems are the long build-in length of the filling mechanism, considerably reducing their ink intake.

 

The bulk filler overcomes this problem completely, allowing approximately 50% higher ink intake on pens with a comparable barrel length.

 

The system opens the way to obtain a high ink intake on short/small pens using a positive displacement filling system.

 

The bulk filler also features a combined ink flow restriction/ ink shut-off valve, similar to the "large capacity" vintage Japanese eye droppers.

 

This feature greatly avoids the "blotting" problem.

 

When stored in whatever position the pen can't leak , even at high temperature and/or air pressure variations.

 

Filling the pen may look complicated, but it is simple and straight forward.

 

The system may look over-engineered at first sight, but is in fact the result of 2 years designing, prototyping, improving, debugging and fine tuning.

 

We finally reached our initial goal: making a reliable high capacity "positive displacement" filling system.

 

The system will last for years, is extremely maintenance friendly and can completely disassembled in 10 minutes.

 

Nothing is glued nor shelacked on this pen, even all static parts are assembled sealed with O ring seals.

 

Avoiding ink penetration between the Bock nib screw in housing and the section, we even installed 2 O rings

 

One underneath the nib housing - avoiding ink penetration from the ink tank - and one around the nib housing at the front of the section - anvoiding ink penetration when putting the section front in the ink during filling

 

Doing so the nib unit can be screwn out easily even after years, is this over-engineering ?.

Not in my opinion, being regulary confronted with repairs in which nib units which can't be screwn out due to radially encrusted ink between the section/nib unit!

 

Hope this answers your questions

 

We all have our personal preferences, thanks God !

 

The world would look dull if we would all favor the same color, the same music, or… the same pen filling system!

 

So each his choice…

 

Francis

Edited April 8, 2012 by fountainbel

[pictogramax]

The pen itself looks great and the filling system even better. Great work!

[raging.dragon]

Nice. The demonstrator looks *much* nicer with titanium used instead of bright orange plastic/ebonite. Added to wishlist (ideally with titanium nib to match the trim and hardware!).

[dcpritch]

I plan to have mine fitted with a titanium nib. This will become my travel pen due its enormous ink capacity and leak-proof design. Plus its just awesome engineering. I am really looking forward to May when these are shipped out. Thanks Francis!

[reval]

Fantastic, I hope pens with this innovative system will be made someday on a more industrial scale for those like me who cannot afford these beauties right now.

[fountainbel]

Fantastic, I hope pens with this innovative system will be made someday on a more industrial scale for those like me who cannot afford these beauties right now.

 

Hi reval,

Thanks for you comment

Actually all parts are precision machined from solid cast bar stock.

Several parts - not all - could be made using injection moulding, but making the moulds is too expensive in this stage.

Note that injection moulding also creates inherent risks for irregular material tensions, which could lead to tension cracks over time.

Francis

Edited April 9, 2012 by fountainbel

[Jimmy James]

That's a really striking pen, and it's something I will certainly consider if I am ever shopping in that price range. I do also hope success leads to if not a Fountainbel-branded version perhaps a licensing agreement with a fine pen maker who could use the same technology at a more mass-produced price tag for the rest of us! Time will tell.

[raging.dragon]

I'd never heard of CONID before this thread, so I took some time to browse their website and have added the Benjamin Graham to my wishlist as well. Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze them into my budget later this year.

[Frisky Willy]

I am just curious, as I have asked a similar question asked before. What is the point of making such a complex bulk filler? I asked what stops this from blebbing like an eye dropper, and it was said that today's feeds have been improved where this is a non-issue. However, if that was the case, why not just make it an eyedropper if the goal was to increase the capacity of the pen?

It's interesting in concept, but I just don't understand the over-engineering.

 

Thanks for your critical reaction !

 

Not everybody likes eyedroppers given their inherent clumsy filling procedure and their blotting risks on larger capacity pens

 

This is fact the main reason why various "self-filling" systems were developed over last century

 

The "bulk filler" is a "positive displacement" filling system, hardly comparable with an eyedropper.

 

Alternative "positive displacement" filling systems are the syringe filler and the screw piston filler.

 

Drawback of both these systems are the long build-in length of the filling mechanism, considerably reducing their ink intake.

 

The bulk filler overcomes this problem completely, allowing approximately 50% higher ink intake on pens with a comparable barrel length.

 

The system opens the way to obtain a high ink intake on short/small pens using a positive displacement filling system.

 

The bulk filler also features a combined ink flow restriction/ ink shut-off valve, similar to the "large capacity" vintage Japanese eye droppers.

 

This feature greatly avoids the "blotting" problem.

 

When stored in whatever position the pen can't leak , even at high temperature and/or air pressure variations.

 

Filling the pen may look complicated, but it is simple and straight forward.

 

The system may look over-engineered at first sight, but is in fact the result of 2 years designing, prototyping, improving, debugging and fine tuning.

 

We finally reached our initial goal: making a reliable high capacity "positive displacement" filling system.

 

The system will last for years, is extremely maintenance friendly and can completely disassembled in 10 minutes.

 

Nothing is glued nor shelacked on this pen, even all static parts are assembled sealed with O ring seals.

 

Avoiding ink penetration between the Bock nib screw in housing and the section, we even installed 2 O rings

 

One underneath the nib housing - avoiding ink penetration from the ink tank - and one around the nib housing at the front of the section - anvoiding ink penetration when putting the section front in the ink during filling

 

Doing so the nib unit can be screwn out easily even after years, is this over-engineering ?.

Not in my opinion, being regulary confronted with repairs in which nib units which can't be screwn out due to radially encrusted ink between the section/nib unit!

 

Hope this answers your questions

 

We all have our personal preferences, thanks God !

 

The world would look dull if we would all favor the same color, the same music, or… the same pen filling system!

 

So each his choice…

 

Francis

[Frisky Willy]

The tremendous amount of design, engineering, and plain hard work that you've put into this fine instrument deserves the final touch that will give you an historically important new product. That touch is a Flexible Nib! Your company has the capability of creating that long-lost technology: no company today makes a nib that matches those produced 80 and more years ago. Go for it! If you offer your wonderful Fountainbel with a selection of flexible nib options, you will have trouble trying to keep up with orders...

[Vincent1278]

got on the list early. glad I did

[mandarintje]

Wow it's amazing to see these go into production after seeing the first prototypes and the hours and hours of cogs turning in Francis' brain to come up with this perfect design. My prototype is still going strong and I've put it through its paces the past 1 1/2 years. Solid as a rock, easy to use and easy to clean.

 

I love the use of these materials together. I'm sorry to say but it has ruined all other pens for me ! I just don't see the point in those injection moulded mass produced pens with the capacity of a mosquito.

 

The price isn't cheap - nor should it be. You get what you pay for, and in this case I see the justification.

I didn't see mention of a guarantee come to think of it. It didn't cross my mind until I thought about the fact it's too well made and thought-out to go wrong.

[penguyinto]

Just sent an email. These look fantastic. Here's hoping that all 60 have not been spoken for.

[fountainbel]

Thank you all for your nice comments !.

I'm anxious starting the assembly of the pre-series.

As it looks now we will start assembling by the end of next week......

Francis

[777]

Oh I totally want one of those...

[SamCapote]

I plan to have mine fitted with a titanium nib. This will become my travel pen due its enormous ink capacity and leak-proof design. Plus its just awesome engineering. I am really looking forward to May when these are shipped out. Thanks Francis!

 

I was thinking the same thing when I saw mention of gold and titanium.

 

Francis, although it seems a minor issue compared to the engineering bulkfilling masterpiece, can you say a bit about the different feel/performance and/or sizes of the nib options? I did send an email to Werner.

[fountainbel]

I plan to have mine fitted with a titanium nib. This will become my travel pen due its enormous ink capacity and leak-proof design. Plus its just awesome engineering. I am really looking forward to May when these are shipped out. Thanks Francis!

 

I was thinking the same thing when I saw mention of gold and titanium.

 

Francis, although it seems a minor issue compared to the engineering bulkfilling masterpiece, can you say a bit about the different feel/performance and/or sizes of the nib options? I did send an email to Werner.

 

Hi SamCapote,

Sorry but I don't understand your question fully : are you refering tot he different feel/performance of the nib material alternatives?

The stainless nib are firm, the 18K nibs have little flex , while the titanium nibs are flex.

Francis

[tenney]

A wonderful design and work of engineering. Well done. And... patent pending too!

 

I didn't see the price on the conidpen web page for how to order the pen. The cost for the titanium flex nib (I didn't know that Bock even made titanium nibs!) is noted there though. Please suggest to Werner that "How to order" should include the price of the pen.

[raging.dragon]

I plan to have mine fitted with a titanium nib. This will become my travel pen due its enormous ink capacity and leak-proof design. Plus its just awesome engineering. I am really looking forward to May when these are shipped out. Thanks Francis!

 

I was thinking the same thing when I saw mention of gold and titanium.

 

Francis, although it seems a minor issue compared to the engineering bulkfilling masterpiece, can you say a bit about the different feel/performance and/or sizes of the nib options? I did send an email to Werner.

 

Hi SamCapote,

Sorry but I don't understand your question fully : are you refering tot he different feel/performance of the nib material alternatives?

The stainless nib are firm, the 18K nibs have little flex , while the titanium nibs are flex.

Francis

 

I can't speak for Sam, but the answer (and question!) is helpful to me as I'm planning to buy one of the Conid Benjamin Graham pens.