Rapidograf - what is it? Rapidograph predecessor

We are sure that many readers will be interested in reading the word "Rapidograph" in the title of the article. What it is? Where is it applied? You will get answers to these questions by reading this article.

What is a rapidogram? The instruction attached to it says that it is a drawing device. He does not need regular filling with his paint. It has a tank for the carcass, which greatly facilitates its cleaning and refueling. A very thin wire made of wire ensures uninterrupted supply of ink for a long time, while the effect of friction on the paper is minimized.

History of the tool

Today many architects, engineers, artists appreciated the rapidogram. What it is will become more clear when you learn how the device was created.

For a long time, a tool called the Penetrader was used for drawing with ink. But its design did not allow precise adjustment of the thickness of the line.

In 1928, Rotring specialists invented the first ink pen, which was called Tiku or Inkograph. In it, instead of a pen, a thin tube was used. The pen did not leave blots and drips, wrote very clearly. On its basis in 1953, a handle for drawing was created, which was called the Rapidograph. What it is, pretty quickly understood by everyone who was engaged in designing. The device made it possible to draw a line that always had a strictly defined thickness. In addition, it continuously and evenly supplied ink. Since the company Rotring was the first to create such a tool, then later the handles of all companies began to be called Rapidographs.

The predecessor of the Rapidograph

It would be wrong in this article not to talk about the predecessor of this necessary tool - the pen-tracker. For a long time he was a faithful assistant to architects, draftsmen, engineers, graphic designers. It was filled with ink or gouache and was used to draw lines of the required thickness. The distribution and popularity of the pen-singer began to decline rapidly, thirty years ago, when the world learned about the appearance of a technical pen. And today many people think that the predecessor of the Rapidographer (Penelope) has completely disappeared from our life thanks to the appearance of a computer. But is it?

It turns out that in the world of calligraphy the pen-finder is still very popular today, but not as a tool for bottling. Racefeder now performs a new role for himself. He became a tool for writing. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in interest in handwritten letters. This made it possible for the pen-finder to challenge the opinion that the best choice of a calligrapher is a brush.

Advantages of Rapidography

Graphic artists believe that the rapidogram provides an opportunity to more fully control the work process. As a result, it is possible to apply lines of the highest quality.

Modern manufacturers make various sizes of tips. For their production, stainless steel, tungsten and precious metals are used.

Rapidographs of such manufacturers are very popular today:

• Faber Castell.
• Rotring.
• Koh-I-Noor.
• Pentel.

Kinds of tools

All the Rapidographs produced today can be divided into three groups:

• With repeated dressing;
• With a disposable cartridge;
• Disposable.

Company Rotring

In 1928, the employees of this firm became famous for their revolutionary invention - the "eternal pen" - a pen with a narrow steel tube that replaced the usual pen. But the true success came to the company later, when this pen was transformed into a quality tool for drawing, which was called a rapidogram. Rotring is the company whose business card is precisely this tool.

In 1998, the famous company was acquired by the American company "Sanford", which specializes in graphic products. Now this company produces more than three thousand items necessary for professionals of the goods - rulers, circulars, templates, drawing boards, tools for designers and artists, written instruments. Rotling Rotigraph is a guarantee of high quality and durability. All the products of this enterprise have an exquisite design and high technical characteristics.

Rapidograf Faber Castell

Another one of the leading companies, whose products are highly valued all over the world. This success is due to the company's international strategy, which it has adhered to for many decades, guarantees high quality and the desire to constantly produce new quality products.

The main production facilities of the company are in Austria, Germany, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia. In addition, Faber Castell has sales offices and branches in more than 100 countries.

The line of Rapidographs Faber Castell is represented by samples of 9 line thicknesses, which begin with 0.13 and end with 2 mm. You can buy a set of Rapidographers of this company. They are reliable, accurate and, no less important, easy to use. Running Rapidographs inks (or cartridges), soluble in water. Mascara for Rapidography should be specifically designed for this instrument.

Refueling

When you buy a rapidogram, the instruction is attached to it. It details how to properly fill the cartridge with ink. It must go to the restrictive line, which is indicated on the wall of the cartridge, leaving part of the air space. After refueling, clean all elements of the instrument with a dry paper towel, including the areas around the tip connection with the hull of the Rapidograph.

Feeding mascara

The tool should be held down by the tip. Slightly tap the body (on the upper end) with your finger. Draw a line on the paper. If mascara does not enter, rotate the horizontal horizontally and gently shake. Try to draw the line again. If there is no effect, this time, the tool should be turned upside down and gently knocked the casing against a hard surface. If the cause is in a clogged tip, then this should give a positive effect.

Location in hand

To make the Rapidograph work long and well, it is necessary to choose the correct position of the instrument. It can be located either at a slight angle to the surface of the base, or strictly vertically. You must choose the most convenient option for yourself. This tool differs from conventional handles in that it is able to move smoothly along the paper in any direction.

The best fundamentals for rapidograms are smooth and hard paper. Mascara for Rapidography is designed specifically. It is characterized by good fluidity, thus giving the artist freedom in creativity. This mascara gives a smooth and clear lines, quickly dries. Water resistant types are not smeared.

Care for Rapidography

Even the best quality types of carcass will sooner or later clog the tip, if not carry out its regular cleaning. Naturally, with careful handling and care. Follow simple rules:

• If you do not use the instrument for more than a minute, cover it with a cap. Inside it there is a "cushion", which seals the tip hermetically, which prevents the carcass from drying out inside it.
• If you work on fibrous or soft materials, the possibility of clogging the tips is significantly increased.
• Rapidograf - the tool is quite strong, but its tip can easily be damaged by careless handling (for example, when falling on the floor).
• When assembling the rapidogram after cleaning, tighten all plastic parts of the housing tightly.

Cleaning

Unscrew the body parts and gently, tapping movements, remove excess mascara on a paper napkin. Unscrew the tip from the base and flush both parts in running warm water or in a special solution for rapidograms. Such a solution is effective when working with waterproof mascara. Dry all wipe the napkin with a napkin, and especially the tip. Assemble the tool. It is effective to remove residual cleaning solution through the orifice hole with a syringe. Fix the tip and body on the syringe, and dip it into clean water. Under pressure, rinse the tip several times. When it becomes clear, repeat this procedure using a solution for Rapidography. And at the very end, flush the instrument with water. This will remove all residues of the cleanser. Thoroughly shake out the remaining liquid and wipe the parts dry with a paper towel.
You can use another way to clean the Rapidograph. It is especially effective in cases when regular cleaning of the tool was not carried out, and as a result it was clogged very much. This is an ultrasound cleaner. Its price can range from $ 35 to $ 160. At large volumes of graphic works the ultrasonic cleaner will justify the costs.

Cost of the instrument

In conclusion, it is necessary to say how much a rapidogram costs. Its price depends on the material used, the model, the manufacturer's company. For example, the Rapidograph of the company Faber Castell costs from 320 to 1300 rubles apiece. And the company Rotling offers its tool at a price from 200 to 1400 rubles apiece.

We presented a drawing tool for you. What is it, you now know. We will be glad if it is useful to you in your professional activities.