Tactile Circuit Blocks

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Circuit Blocks These blocks have been designed as an electronics learning aid for blind individuals and those with partial sight. Each block features tactile circuit symbols, while the component blocks also contain a Braille description of the part. Using magnetic connectors, the blocks can be arranged to form circuits and, through the use of conductive filament or inserted wires, functional circuits can be created. A buzzer provides audible feedback when a complete circuit is formed, offering potential for demonstrating series vs parallel, added resistance, or other components. Reflecting on my own educational experience, I identified topics that are relatively abstract but can be effectively demonstrated practically. Electronics and its fundamental principles seemed like an obvious choice, given that concepts such as complete circuits, voltage, and current can appear abstract without visual circuit diagrams. Practical demonstration often involves 'fiddly' breadboards, loose wires, batteries, and bulbs that provide no feedback for the blind. Each block is standardized with tactile symbols on each component, accompanied by Braille descriptions on the main components. Initially, I ran wire through the blocks to test current flow, but used conductive filament (Proto-Pasta) in the final blocks, eliminating the need for additional wires in connector blocks. The future of these circuit blocks holds great promise, with standardized designs allowing for easy creation of blocks housing a wide range of potential components: motors with offset weights for vibration feedback, resistors, capacitors, and more. Dropping magnetic connections and designing printed connectors using conductive filament would enable further refinement and the inclusion of even more complex components (such as ICs). Printing these circuit blocks requires printing at 0.2mm layer height with your preferred PLA and suitable settings. The 'cell block' is the only component that requires supports from the base plate alone. To add conductive filament, change color at 3.6mm and revert back to the original color at 7mm (though wire channels remain). For printing tactile circuit symbols and Braille in a different color, change color at 35.2mm. The magnets used are 10mm x 2mm in size.