3D Printed Braille Display

thingiverse

The UC Merced Capstone team, Team B.R.A.V.E., has partnered with COVE in Merced and Solidoodle to address the issue of high-cost refreshable Braille displays that restrict blind children's access to learning Braille. They have designed an affordable, open-source 3D printed alternative for less than $200. The current design requires modifications, such as adding a resistance sensor and contact pocket, which could be made using printed circuit boards, graphite rods, or conductive ABS filament from dual extrusion printers. Additionally, the gear system needs upgrading to reduce torque requirements for small pager motors. The team's mission is to leverage advances in materials research and manufacturing to promote literacy among the blind and visually impaired community. The design is fully parametric in OpenSCAD, with updates on improvements planned soon. New, smaller stepper motors have also been discovered on AliExpress and eBay. Required parts include springs, KK-29 or DD-73 motors, a circuit board for the feedback loop, an Arduino Mega 2560, gears, and potentially a gear assembly to increase torque.