3D Printing Objects and Books in Braille for People with Vision Disabilities

Introduction

New technology has been developed to make tactile objects with ease thanks to the convergence technology of 3D printing and 3D thermal reflow treatment, which can be denoted as the revolution in manufacturing technology.

Main Digest

Braille is a tactile writing system, which is commonly used by people with vision disabilities. With the recent development of braille printers, written materials in braille has greatly helped people with vision disabilities but, this is not to say that there are still many remaining problems such as books that are immobile due to their size and volume as well as durability. Moreover, there are other problems such as not enough books, materials, works, and data for such individuals.

Using the technology, not only braille books, but also braille picture books and teaching materials can be made with greater flexibility in color, height and size. It is also harmless to human body since it does not require UV coating or harmful chemical treatment.

The research team led by Dr Myoung-Woon Moon at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology developed a new method by converging 3D printing and 3D surface thermal reflow treatment techniques to produce touchable objects with detailed lines and curves. The research team used thermal reflow treatment on the surface to enhance durability and adhesiveness. The newly developed technique has been filed for patent registration domestically. In addition, this research was accepted for publication by the journal of RSC Advances with the title, "3D Printed Tactile Pattern Formation on Paper with Thermal Reflow Method."

Presently, materials available for the visually impaired and partially sighted are mostly braille documents or books with a series of raised dots on paper.

For basic objects such as apple, tree, etc., raised dots that outline the object was used in picture books. Further, information on subways or public buildings are sometimes difficult to understand not to mention making complex books on contours of maps, earthquake occurrence, and such educational materials in braille was very difficult.

Continued below image.

Continued...

Among all 3D printing technologies, the research team used the layer technique, which stacks each filament layer one at a time based on the data of 3D model. The technology enables the manufacturing of miniature models or prototype of complex 3D objects using computer aided drawing (CAD) at low cost in short time. With this method, the shape, size and thickness of the finished product can be controlled by adjusting the number of filament layers.

Objects produced using this technique, will add interest and excitement to the current braille books by putting detailed tables and figures into the context, which in turn will make reading much more interesting for people with vision disabilities. In addition, changing the colors of filaments bring various colors to 3D models without difficulties and much more complex structures like the contours of a map representing mountainous areas can be produced in colors that are similar to the real thing. Moreover, the time it took to produce educational materials for the visually impaired or partially sighted, which was several month could be cut down to several hours, satisfying the demand from the educational fields of students with vision disabilities.

For tactile objects for people with vision disabilities, it is important to be harmless to human body and durable, due to the fact that these objects are touched and felt by hands. For this reason, the research team used the thermal reflow processing for surface treatment. If the surface of the produced object is treated with temperatures of 160 degree C or higher, the solid filament melts to fill the tiniest crevices and gets absorbed into the object creating a surface with better adhesiveness. The surface treated objects are made from plastic hence it is more durable than objects made out of paper not to mention being more resistant to external impact thanks to the treatment. The thermal reflow treatment can also reduce the surface roughness of objects made by 3D printing process, which is created in the production stage.

This newly developed surface treatment technique not only works for paper but also on plastic, metal, ceramics, and other various materials in controlling the adhesiveness between braille and the surface. Also, using 3D printer to produce teaching materials such as a map of the nation or growing process of animals or plants will surly add to the educational development of students with vision disabilities in understanding the context and materials much better.

Dr. Kwang-Ryeol Lee Director-General of the Institute for Multidisciplinary Convergence of Matter at KIST said, "The materials have been developed to enhance the quality of life and learning of students with vision disabilities but, it is also expected to be used in other educational fields for general students. We will put our utmost efforts in R&D that enables a happier life and better education for the physically challenged students."

Related Information

• Advanced Touch-Feedback System Creates Consistent Tactile Experience on Screens: Consistent virtual haptic technology for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) users.
• Tactile Interface Technology for People with Vision Disabilities: New research at UC Berkeley has found that people are better and faster at navigating tactile technology when using both hands and several fingers.
• Tactile Defensiveness and the Autism Spectrum: Article examines tactile defensiveness, repetitive behaviors, obsessions, as well as routines regarding children with autism.
• Printing 3D Tactile Print Images for Blind: 3D printing process converts conventional paintings, drawings, collages or photographs into a 3D Tactile Fine Art Print.
• Tactile Lithophane Makes Scientific Data Accessible to Students With Blindness: Tactile learning device makes science accessible to students with blindness or low vision (BLV) opens possibility of transfer of scientific data or images for sighted students into functional formats for students with blindness.
• Sight Unseen: Tacticle Feedback Exhibit That Blind Can See: CMHR is the first museum in the world to showcase three-dimensional tactile fine art printing developed by 3DPhotoWorks.

Attribution/Source(s):

This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Korea Institute of Science and Technology, and published on 2014/07/06 (Edit Update: 2024/09/10), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Korea Institute of Science and Technology can be contacted at eng.kist.re.kr/kist_eng/main/. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

Related Publications▶ Share This Page

Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer

Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.

Cite This Page (APA): Korea Institute of Science and Technology. (2014, July 6 - Last revised: 2024, September 10). 3D Printing Objects and Books in Braille for People with Vision Disabilities. Disabled World. Retrieved September 11, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/news/research/3d-printing/objects.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/news/research/3d-printing/objects.php">3D Printing Objects and Books in Braille for People with Vision Disabilities</a>: Convergence technology of 3D printing and 3D thermal reflow treatment to print braille books, braille picture books and materials with greater flexibility in color, height and size.

Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.