[rfdub]

I don't really think "innovation" can be defined as replicating manufacturing processes developed 100 years ago. This is simply playing catch up in terms of manufacturing processes and quality control.

[blackguardx]

There is also the material science of the rolling ball itself. I assume it has similar constraints to high quality bearings.

[nom]

Good point. But if they can't manufacture ballpoint pens, how can they make bearings? Maybe it's due to their small size?

[ohazi]

This article is talking about the tip casing, not the actual ball.

[blackguardx]

I took that to mean the ball and the housing around it. The casing would function similarly to a bearing race and the ball to well, a bearing ball.

[blackguardx]

Ballpoint pens might be a hard problem. The article didn't say they couldn't make them, it said they couldn't make them as well as others.

[nom]

From the article, they've been lacking good sources of quality steel and/or the steel manufacturing techniques required to make the tiny and super hard steel balls used in ballpoint pens.