Abstract
In this work we investigate how Braille characters can be produced through the upcoming 3D printing technology. Braille characters were experimentally printed through the widely diffused Fusion Deposition Modeling method, by different printing approaches: by using a professional-level printer, a low-cost 3D printer and a novel printing strategy optimized for Braille. Such novel printing strategy was developed to overcome common 3D printing issues, in particular on low-cost printers introduced by small details such as Braille dots. Braille writing samples produced using different techniques were compared in terms of geometrical defects. Finally, a human study enrolling visually impaired volunteers evaluated the different printing approaches in terms of readability and comfort in reading.
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Acknowledgments
This work was partially supported by the Braille Lab project (code SIN_00190) funded by the Ministry of Education, University and Research within the “Smart Cities and Communities and Social Innovation” program. We would like to thank the Unione Italiana dei Ciechi e degli Ipovedenti di Pisa for helping us to recruit the subjects for the test.
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Loconsole, C., Leonardis, D., Bergamasco, M., Frisoli, A. (2016). An Experimental Study on Fused-Deposition-Modeling Technology as an Alternative Method for Low-Cost Braille Printing. In: Di Bucchianico, G., Kercher, P. (eds) Advances in Design for Inclusion. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 500. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41962-6_18
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41962-6_18
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