Modern Aurora 88 Piston: Exploded View

[hari317]

The piston filler unit backed out of my Gold Plated modern 88. I took this opportunity to capture a few pictures of the mechanism.

 

The filler unit is extracted using a tool that fits to the slots on the filler unit. This arrangement is very similar to what is used in the modern MB piston fillers. Infact, the MB tool can be used on the Aurora with some minor modifications. The filler's extract-retract mechanism follows the Pelikan principle, however unlike Pelikan or MB, no backlash is provided between the filler knob movement and the spindle actuation.

 

The major difference between MB/Pelikan(M800/M1000) and Aurora in their filler units is that the Aurora Filler is entirely made of plastic. On MB/Pelikan, the critical parts like the threaded area and the filler extraction slots/flats are made of brass.

 

The 88 filler, exploded view:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/88/IMG_5742.jpg

 

Piston seal with spindle:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/88/IMG_5743.jpg

 

Elastomer seal showing the "magic reservoir" projection:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/88/IMG_5745.jpg

 

Anti Rotation slot, bottom of the connector:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/88/IMG_5746.jpg

 

Connector top showing the extraction slots:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/88/IMG_5747.jpg

 

Filler knob married to the spindle nut:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/88/IMG_5748.jpg

 

Filler assembled, ready to be re-fitted to barrel

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/88/IMG_5749.jpg

 

The filler unit requires some type of a sealant to retain it, I have ordered the section sealant from Tryphon and plan to use it. Currently I have assembled the pen without the retainer. I used a light coat of pure silicone oil on the seal.

 

Magic reservoir:

 

This is achieved by the nozzle that you see from the ink view window. In the writing position, as the ink level falls, ink will enter the nozzle only when its level is greater than that of the nozzle height, as the ink level falls below this height, the ink flow will be interupted. Now to write further, you fully extend the piston. There is an annular projection on the piston seal , this surrounds the nozzle and thus the reserve ink level now rises above the nozzle height, allowing you to write a few more pages and acts as a reminder to refill. The only problem now is that flushing the pen fully becomes a pain.

 

Cheers!

Hari

[watch_art]

magic reservoir? This is a gorgeous pen and all... but really?? That's sort of cheesy isn't it?

[hari317]

magic reservoir? This is a gorgeous pen and all... but really?? That's sort of cheesy isn't it?

 

"Riserva Magica". Think of it as the reserve position of the petrol (bleep) (I used the common word for the petrol valve) the in old carburetted vehicles. Not chessy IMHO but inconvenient to clean well.

Edited May 21, 2011 by hari317

[Ambros]

Very interesting!

[jzara]

Thanks for the peek inside.

[akrishna59]

beautiful pen hari and nice snaps. there is a lot to learn from you.

 

rgds.

 

krishna.

[tanalasta]

Thank you. I always wondered how exaclty that hidden reservoir worked. Came in useful today as i ran low of ink at work.

 

Then again... I've always wondered why other manufacturers don't have a similar thing!

[hari317]

Thank you all for your your kind comments. Regards, Hari

[markiv]

Thanks for sharing Hari.

How do you like the balance of this pen?

Does the all plastic construction aide the ergonomics of the pen?

[hari317]

Thanks for sharing Hari.

How do you like the balance of this pen?

Does the all plastic construction aide the ergonomics of the pen?

I do not have the regular all plastic 88. This all metal pen is slightly heavy. The balance is quite good unposted.

[Abhik]

Dear Hari,

Excellent detail photos! What nib does it have? Can you some other photos showing nib, feed etc.?

Warm wishes,

Abhik.

[hari317]

Dear Hari,

Excellent detail photos! What nib does it have? Can you some other photos showing nib, feed etc.?

Warm wishes,

Abhik.

 

Hi Abhik, Thank you. I think rather than post all that here, I will post a review separately which will include detailed pictures of this pen.

 

Best

hari

[Brian]

Thanks for this as there seems to be so little information on Aurora pens, especially different variants of the 88.

[MikeF]

I happen to have one, which I like a lot, and fine very comfortable and well balanced. And I got a picture around, while you wait for Hari's.

[hari317]

Thanks for this as there seems to be so little information on Aurora pens, especially different variants of the 88.

 

Thank you. My purpose behind posting this, is exactly that. This post also acts as a ready reference for me if I am faced with opening one again...

 

I happen to have one, which I like a lot, and fine very comfortable and well balanced. And I got a picture around, while you wait for Hari's.

 

Very nice picture, thanks for posting, my pen has the same long tined nib.

 

Best

Hari

[MikeF]

It looks so elegant, this nib... I quite love it; besides this one was a gift from my mother.

[hari317]

It looks so elegant, this nib... I quite love it; besides this one was a gift from my mother.

Ahh, that makes it even more special. Enjoy your pen in good health.

[georges zaslavsky]

thanks for the review

[enricof]

Thanks for sharing Hari.

How do you like the balance of this pen?

Does the all plastic construction aide the ergonomics of the pen?

I do not have the regular all plastic 88. This all metal pen is slightly heavy. The balance is quite good unposted.

 

I have the full-resin 800 (both the gold trim and the chrome trim versions).

 

It is a lightweight pen, seems smaller than it is. I use it unposted, but I think it is very useable posted as well.

 

It looks so elegant, this nib... I quite love it; besides this one was a gift from my mother.

 

I feel obliged to add a modest contribution:

 

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/nibs-104.jpg

 

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/nibs-105.jpg

[Sagar_C]

 

Magic reservoir:

 

This is achieved by the nozzle that you see from the ink view window. In the writing position, as the ink level falls, ink will enter the nozzle only when its level is greater than that of the nozzle height, as the ink level falls below this height, the ink flow will be interupted. Now to write further, you fully extend the piston. There is an annular projection on the piston seal , this surrounds the nozzle and thus the reserve ink level now rises above the nozzle height, allowing you to write a few more pages and acts as a reminder to refill. The only problem now is that flushing the pen fully becomes a pain.

 

Cheers!

Hari

 

Sorry to dig out such an old topic, but did the vintage Aurora 88 (ca. 1940s) have similar "magic reserve"?