New 3D Braille Printer Can Print on Curved Surfaces

Researchers at Texas A&M University, led by mechanical engineering professor Dr. Tanil Ozkan, have developed a new 3D printer that, unlike other machines that can only print on flat surfaces, is able to print on curved polymeric surfaces via a non-contact sensor. Their 3D printer's purpose lies in assisting the visually impaired community by 3D printing Braille characters onto consumer products, with the ultimate intent for packaging from retailers to include Braille offerings for such uses as dosage instructions on a medicine bottle, an expiration date on some sort of food packaging, or anything else that could be beneficial to the visually impaired. The TAMU researchers intend to donate the rights to the pending patent to the Braille Museum and American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. in Louisville, Kentucky. Read the full story for more details: http://3dprint.com/77214/tamu-3d-braille-printer/


Below is a look at the team's 3D printed Braille on a medication bottle:
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