Tactile Chess Set (Magnetic)

thingiverse

While this innovative design is specifically tailored to be accessible for the visually impaired, it also offers numerous benefits for individuals with average vision. The tactile differences make it possible to play chess in complete darkness, and it could become a reliable way to pass time during power outages. Moreover, the magnets effectively keep the pieces securely in place despite the presence of children, pets, earthquakes, car rides, or careless handling. Non-3D printed components: Glue (I used Maxi-Cure) 96 pieces of 18 mm x 5 mm disc magnets (available at http://a.co/0Tev4vT) Print Settings Printer: Monoprice Maker Select Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.2 mm Infill: 20% Notes: Print in PLA only! Post-Printing Apply glue to four pieces of TopCorner.stl, assembling them into an 8 x 8 square with alternating raised and lowered squares. Ensure the corners are secure before proceeding. Next, combine four pieces of BottomOutsides.stl and one piece of BottomMiddle.stl into an 8 x 8 square with one piece of BottomMiddle.stl in the center and two pieces of BottomOutsides.stl on each side, forming a 6 x 2 and a 2 x 6 rectangle. Insert magnets into the bottom, making sure they are all oriented in the same direction (positive up or positive down). Securely attach the top and bottom components together. Insert one piece of Cross.stl into the top of one piece of King.stl using glue. Then, combine the cone from one piece of AltCross.stl with the cross from another piece of AltCross.stl, attaching it to the top of a second piece of King.stl. Insert magnets into sixteen pieces of MajorMagnetBase.stl and attach them to the bottoms of two pieces of King.stl, one piece of Queen.stl, one piece of AltQueen.stl, two pieces of Rook.stl, two pieces of AltRook.stl, two pieces of Bishop.stl, two pieces of AltBishop.stl, two pieces of Knight, and two pieces of AltKnight.stl. Similarly, insert magnets into sixteen pieces of MinorMagnetBase and attach them to the bottoms of eight pieces of Pawn.stl and eight pieces of AltPawn.stl. Design Inspiration During a drive home with my boyfriend, we discussed chess, and he challenged me to think about how I could make a chess set accessible for individuals who are blind or have low vision. I proposed that tactile differences between colors would be necessary, as well as some mechanism to prevent the pieces from being knocked over. My boyfriend suggested using magnets instead of the traditional peg-and-hole system, which led to the idea of creating a 3D-printed chess set. Custom Section Components: Non-3D printed components: Glue (I used Maxi-Cure) 96 pieces of 18 mm x 5 mm disc magnets (available at http://a.co/0Tev4vT) Board: Four pieces of TopCorner.stl Four pieces of BottomOutsides.stl One piece of BottomMiddle.stl "White" pieces: One piece of King.stl One piece of Cross.stl One piece of Queen.stl Two pieces of Rook.stl Two pieces of Bishop.stl Two pieces of Knight.stl Eight pieces of Pawn.stl Eight pieces of MajorMagnetBase.stl Eight pieces of MinorMagnetBase.stl "Black" pieces: One piece of King.stl One piece of AltCross.stl One piece of AltQueen.stl Two pieces of AltRook.stl Two pieces of AltBishop.stl Two pieces of AltKnight.stl Eight pieces of AltPawn.stl Eight pieces of MajorMagnetBase.stl Eight pieces of MinorMagnetBase.stl