For those interested, this is the actual process for making...

For those interested, this is the actual process for making synthetic graphite.
It's short, but it illustrates well the time constraints in the production.
Juju.

In addition to restricting oxygen from the articles being graphitized it
is important to keep the heat in the furnace so that the extreme process temperature 2800-3000 ⁰C
required for graphitization to can occur.
Once the articles to be graphitized are placed in the Acheson furnace and covered with
the appropriate packing material a DC current of low voltage and very high amperage is
applied to the furnace charge. The furnace load heats up due to its own electrical
resistance. As the heating progresses the furnace resistance goes down due to the
increase in conductivity that results from the formation of graphitic carbon at the expense
of amorphous carbon.
Furnace conditions are constantly monitored, this includes the power consumed. At the
point where the operator determines that the proper furnace temperature has been
achieved, or that the charge is fully graphitized, power to the furnace is cut. The furnace
is allowed to cool and the graphitized articles, electrodes in this example, are removed.
The total process time for graphitization using the Acheson method can be as long as 2-3
weeks. The heating cycle is typically rapid, with the graphitization temperature being
reached in a few days. However, cool down time is slow and it can take up to two weeks
until the furnace is cool enough to unload.