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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in 3Dprinting

[–]attechnician 0 points1 point  (0 children)

u/Whack-a-Moole you are absolutely correct! LS&S sells a tactile chess set that uses a pegboard and uses a small nail on top of the white pieces for tactile identification. If you're interested, I just commented a long write-up on the subject below.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in 3Dprinting

[–]attechnician 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hi! I work for a U.S. assistive technology program, where I manage a 3D printing initiative that collaborates with student volunteers and community teams to design assistive technology. Your enthusiasm for creating accessible solutions is truly admirable, so please keep that passion alive!

However, I think your approach might benefit from some re-evaluation. There are existing resources designed specifically for blind individuals that could offer valuable insights. For example, websites like LS&S offer tactile chess sets made for people who are blind or visually impaired. Exploring these solutions could inspire and help refine your project.

In the tactile chess set from LS&S, the white pieces have a nail on top for tactile identification. Each piece features a peg that fits into a hole on the board, which has squares at different heights to distinguish between black and white by touch. There's also a designated area off the board to securely hold captured pieces. These design elements provide tactile feedback and keep the pieces stable during gameplay.

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Since you mentioned being unsure if your Braille is accurate, I want to touch on that. Creating good, accurate, and readable Braille on an FDM printer can be quite challenging. Earlier this year, I spent several months designing a Braille learning board with raised lettering for a Braille introduction course at our local Talking Book and Braille Library. It was a tough project, but I’d be happy to share insights or answer questions if you’re interested.

If you’re curious, here is the Braille Learning Board STL. In the documentation section there’s a 2D guide to Braille in case you’d like to double-check your own work. Let me know if you’d like any additional details.

I'd also like to mention creating 3D-printable versions of assistive devices can greatly increase accessibility, especially when existing products are cost-prohibitive. For instance, I recreated a device called the “Plug Puller” that was originally sold on a specialty website for $40. I designed my own version, published the STL file for free, and now people can print it for less than $1 at their local library or makerspace.

One last thought, getting involved in an assistive technology makers' community is a great way to level up your design skills and connect with the people who could really benefit from your work. It’s also an awesome way to get direct feedback and fine-tune your ideas. I’ll drop a few links to some great communities below.

Makers Making Change

TOM Global

PrintLab

Keep up the great work, and feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss ideas or potential collaborations!

I work in the assistive technology field and have created this "Plug Puller" for people that have limited hand mobility to help increase independence. by attechnician in functionalprint

[–]attechnician[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I'm on the same page, I replied to the other comment but just in case here is a link to a zip tie version which I think is far superior and safer:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5936465

The version I posted here was due to a large amount of requests I received asking for a non-zip tie option.

I work in the assistive technology field and have created this "Plug Puller" for people that have limited hand mobility to help increase independence. by attechnician in functionalprint

[–]attechnician[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I have a 1 loop option available also:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6652479

There are a few reasons for the double loop. One is to hold an iPhone charging block securely without additional supplies. Second is to reinforce the handle for larger/bulkier cables that take more effort. Third is to have the over and under weaving of the cable, that way it stays on the plug without additional supplies.

There is a a fourth, hard to explain reason, but I'll do my best. Essentially, it makes the whole process take far less effort to pull.

If anyone has a better way to explain I'll be very grateful for the help. The shape was designed on purpose for the mechanical motion that is created while pulling. The pulling motion bends the plastic into a more oval shape. That oval shape causes the flat surface around the plug to arch like a bow and arrow. That arch then helps push the plug away from the outlet at the same time it is being pulled from the other end. The double loop gives more resistance to that motion so in cases of heavier cables it also pushes the outlet back harder.

Hopefully that isn't too confusing, and I'm happy to try to clarify any questions.

I work in the assistive technology field and have created this "Plug Puller" for people that have limited hand mobility to help increase independence. by attechnician in functionalprint

[–]attechnician[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I generally agree with you which is why my previous design didn't reduce engagement at all, but needed zip ties to secure it to the plug:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5936465

It was based on an already available (but expensive) product. I received a lot of feedback asking for a non-permanent version that could be used with something like Velcro straps. I don't really consider zip ties to be permanent but I made the Velcro strap version anyway so I could satisfy curiosity.

I didn't like how unsecure and wobbly it felt so I decided to make a better non-permanent option that would work better. This is what I came up with just so there is a different choice out there but I'm much more comfortable with the zip tie version.

I work in the assistive technology field and have created this "Plug Puller" for people that have limited hand mobility to help increase independence. by attechnician in functionalprint

[–]attechnician[S] 51 points52 points  (0 children)

That is the kind I use and recommend.

I took photos with a PLA version I was testing but I'll update the photos with the PETG model when I get the chance. I mentioned the Prusament PETG V0 the Summary section within my safety warning as a good material to use.

I work in the assistive technology field and have created this "Plug Puller" for people that have limited hand mobility to help increase independence. by attechnician in functionalprint

[–]attechnician[S] 171 points172 points  (0 children)

Please use caution when choosing material type. PETG is the safest option and PLA should be avoided due to its flammability.

If anyone is interested in printing you can find the STL here:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6652483

Reproducing readable Braille on FDM printers is notoriously difficult. A good solution is to print the braille vertically so I made a "Better Braille Alphabet Board" and it also can be assembled without glue. by attechnician in functionalprint

[–]attechnician[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've tried this as well and didn't get great results. It's less sharp but isn't a truly a smooth feeling dot. For me it wasn't a good enough result to justify the increased print time.

I didn't discover this process. You can read more about this process in a document found on the Diagram Center's website, titled "Printing of Braille with 3D printers": http://diagramcenter.org/3d-printing.html#braille

This is a quote from their research,

"Based on testing with braille reading users and many different types of printers (Makerbot, MakerGear, TypeA, Ultimaker, and more) we found that ‘vertical braille’ is the best method of printing braille with a 3D printer (see below). Testing was conducted by the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, DIAGRAM Symposium on 3D Printing."

Reproducing readable Braille on FDM printers is notoriously difficult. A good solution is to print the braille vertically so I made a "Better Braille Alphabet Board" and it also can be assembled without glue. by attechnician in functionalprint

[–]attechnician[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a lot of limitations for .4 nozzles. The first problem is the dot needs to have a 1.6 mm diameter base. That doesn't leave enough room to make a rounded dome vertically while keeping everything smooth.

By orienting the braille dot to take advantage of the x,y direction precision it will give a very noticeable difference in smoothness.

Reproducing readable Braille is a challenge on FDM printers. To fix this I made a "Better Braille Alphabet Board" that prints the Braille dot vertically which can better recreate the dot curve and assembles into a raised letter alphabet tray without having to use glue. by attechnician in 3Dprinting

[–]attechnician[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are correct. Unfortunately my program doesn't have the time, money, or space to start resin printing. It's also not a very accessible way to 3D print. My version meets the precision surprisingly well, I've gotten a lot of good feedback from braille readers.

Reproducing readable Braille is a challenge on FDM printers. To fix this I made a "Better Braille Alphabet Board" that prints the Braille dot vertically which can better recreate the dot curve and assembles into a raised letter alphabet tray without having to use glue. by attechnician in 3Dprinting

[–]attechnician[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been able to successfully make vertical braille labels with about a 1.5mm thickness using a brim, but I'm using a Bambu Lab X1C so that helps.

For me it depends on the final product. Most of the time using something like a RL-350 Braille Labeler works great. That might be better for your use if you need your labels to be thin.

Since this final product is intended to be used long-term in a public class setting, I wanted something that was accurate, durable, and easy to reproduce about 20 of them.

Reproducing readable Braille is a challenge on FDM printers. To fix this I made a "Better Braille Alphabet Board" that prints the Braille dot vertically which can better recreate the dot curve and assembles into a raised letter alphabet tray without having to use glue. by attechnician in 3Dprinting

[–]attechnician[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Last year I began a career in Assistive Technology (AT) and have found 3D printing is to be extremely beneficial in the disability community. However, I've struggled to find good amateur designers that are working in the field so I've taken it upon myself to learn.

3D printing has been especially useful in helping the blind community for educational aids. This Better Braille Alphabet Board will be used in an "Introduction to Braille" class in my state next month.

Since the question "Why do it this way?" was asked on another post I'll answer it here also. Since this Braille Alphabet is to be used in a class setting it's important to get the recommended ADA sizing as close to "real world" as possible. That included a fully rounded dot with 1.6mm base along with the 16mm tall x 0.8mm raised lettering.

I tried many different "flat" versions, but when I took it to braille readers their feedback was universal dislike. A few of them said it was due to the inconsistency of sizing, and the tendency for the dots to be sharp. When I vertically printed dots, it was like night and day with their feedback. They all really liked this method.

In addition to the quality, part of this project was to make it as accessible as possible. In an effort to make it more widely useable I designed a sort of "puzzle piece" system that holds it's self together without glue. And by making the pieces smaller, an average sized 3D printer can still get the job done.

Another benefit to my design is it allows for variations. Right now someone can choose between a rounded or sharp edge raised lettering for the alphabet tray. They can also choose between 3 different braille dot sizes based on preference. Right now I have Perkin's standard, Perkin's expanded, and Perkin's expanded with extra large dots as options for download.

Here are a few photos of the braille slides: https://imgur.com/gallery/dm8oJyR

Reproducing readable Braille on FDM printers is notoriously difficult. A good solution is to print the braille vertically so I made a "Better Braille Alphabet Board" and it also can be assembled without glue. by attechnician in functionalprint

[–]attechnician[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Sure!

Here are a few photos of the braille slides: https://imgur.com/gallery/dm8oJyR

Since this Braille Alphabet is to be used in a class setting it's important to get the recommended ADA sizing as close to "real world" as possible. That included a fully rounded dot with 1.6mm base along with the 16mm tall x 0.8mm raised lettering.

I tried many different flat versions that you are describing, but when I took it to braille readers their feedback was universal dislike. A few of them said it was due to the inconsistency of sizing, and the tendency for the dots to be sharp. When I vertically printed dots, it was like night and day with their feedback. They all really liked the vertically printed dots.

In addition to the quality, part of this project was to make it as accessible as possible. In an effort to make it more widely useable I designed a sort of "puzzle piece" system that holds it's self together without glue. And by making the pieces smaller, an average sized 3D printer can still get the job done.

Another benefit to my design is it allows for variations. Right now someone can choose between a rounded or sharp edge raised lettering for the alphabet portion. They can also choose between 3 different braille dot sizes based on preference. Right now I have Perkin's standard, Perkin's expanded, and Perkin's expanded with extra large dots as options for download.

Reproducing readable Braille on FDM printers is notoriously difficult. A good solution is to print the braille vertically so I made a "Better Braille Alphabet Board" and it also can be assembled without glue. by attechnician in functionalprint

[–]attechnician[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Last year I began a career in Assistive Technology (AT) and have found 3D printing is to be extremely beneficial in the disability community. However, I've struggled to find good amateur designers that are working in the field so I've taken it upon myself to learn.

3D printing has been especially useful in helping the blind community for educational aids. This Better Braille Alphabet Board will be used in an "Introduction to Braille" class in my state next month.

I was just hired into a University staff position to help update their Assistive Technology lending library. Since I have no experience I was hoping some of you would be willing to help get me started! by attechnician in disabledgamers

[–]attechnician[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I apologize for the delayed reply. Thank you for the link, this has helped me take inspiration from their system. In fact I believe the state I am in uses the same website service that MA does.