Week 2: Dots and Diagrams

Platon B -

Welcome back Mustangs!

This week, I am happy to say that I’ve begun work on my first braille prototype. As a reminder, this week is focused on making an individual braille cell that functions properly. The first step in my process is designing the actual braille model with CAD software. Using some open-source software like AutoCad and Blender, I made a pretty basic yet functioning braille cell to experiment with. Next comes the actual manufacturing of the braille cell. For the magnets that push up each braille dot, I used some simple 2x3mm circular magnets I had lying around. For the braille cell itself, I decided to try 3D printing it.

3D printing is easier said than done. Many of the printed housings I made had physical deformities (from what I can only guess is overheating of the nozzle), so I spent multiple hours tweaking the settings and designing my braille cell to a more reliable model. Finally, I managed to print a full braille cell, albeit just the physical components. I expect to do the electronics side, such as the circuitry and copper wiring next week. What I found out with the final product was that 3D printing wasn’t nearly precise enough for making braille cells the size of a fingertip. Therefore, I plan to buy a resin printer soon, which can handle much better tolerances than the 3D printer.

Do any of you own a 3D printer or have heard about it? Let me know in the comments!

Below, I’ve attached an image of the braille cell with its component’s separated:

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Comments:

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    don_whiteside
    Looks like you're off to a good start. Have you thought about simply building a prototype to prove your design, irrespective of the size of the module? Once the design proof of concept is verified, then you could explore how to miniaturize it! Seems like you're trying to do both at once.. Mr. Whiteside
    rishi_s
    Hey Tosha, this is such an interesting project! I definitely think that this can make a significant impact if the project is a success. Were the physical deformities problem a result of your 3D printer or the actual design of your braille cell? What did you change in the braille cell to fix the problem? What's the difference between a 3D printer and a resin one? Why do you think the resin printer would be much better?
    Alistair_H
    Why do you think switching to a resin printer will improve the creation of the braille cells?
    Alistair_H
    like how will the increased tolerance levels help fix the problems you are having?
    platon_b
    Hello Alistair, great comments! In response to tolerance levels and your question regarding that, the braille cell has many moving parts. The braille dots will go up and down within the housing, and if the fit is too tight or loose between each other, the movement will be too unreliable. Therefore, we need low tolerances in order to facilitate a functioning braille cell. Moving forward, resin printers have a lower tolerance, as they use a different technique to print the housing that makes the final model smoother and more precise. With more accurate and well-made models, the braille cell can have better tactile feel and function more reliably.
    platon_b
    Hello Rishi, thanks for your interest in my project! The physical deformities definitely came from the 3D printer itself. There are many problems with my current 3D printer which include an overheating nozzle, a unleveled bed, and whatnot. These add blobs, printer lines, and melted plastic onto the housing which is definitely something we need to change. I think the only viable solution would be a resin printer in this case, as 3D printers don't have the precision to make sub-millimeter accuracy and use a cruder method of making materials. Great question!
    platon_b
    Hello Mr. Whiteside, That would be a great idea! A serious limitation of designing these braille cells is their near microscopic size. Due to that, it's very time taking and difficult to make a prototype, so I'm actually considering making a larger size prototype. The only problem is that electromagnetic fields are more difficult to use at a larger scale, and much more copper wiring is needed.

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