[blindkid] Tactile Graphics

[David Andrews]

Actually I think that the way most of them work is that they deposit 
repeated layers of a material in the proper shape, until an object is 
formed.  Either metal or plastic is used, depending on the 
machine.  The industrial ones are quite expensive, but at the lower 
end they are now between $1 and $2000.  This may seem  like a lot, 
but they will come down.  In 1990 I paid about $1000 for a black and 
white laser printer, which could be had today for $100 to $200.

Dave

At 01:11 AM 7/19/2013, you wrote:
>The 3D pens are neat, but the 3D "printers" I've seen are truly 
>amazing. I saw one on a TV show about technology. What they 
>explained was a laser was focused into some sort of liquid, such 
>that areas lasered turned solid. The intended market was to make 
>"1-off" prototypes of products, before undertaking the expense to 
>make a set of molds for things like injection molding of products.
>
>Implications for the blind were incredible, but the units looked 
>really expensive. If the cost comes down enough, the prospect of 
>being able to "laser print" a 3D piece at will is truly incredible!
>
>Sent from my iPhone
>
>On Jul 18, 2013, at 9:00 AM, Denise Robinson <deniserob at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > There is a 3D pen that is coming out that will revolutionize 
> tactile everything...very fast to get something to the 
> fingertips...can read about it at link below
> >
> > 
> http://www.yourtechvision.com/content/worlds-first-3d-printing-pen-3doodler-make-math-and-more-come-alive-blind
> > Denise M Robinson
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
> > On Jul 18, 2013, at 8:32 AM, Eleanor Robinson <erobin8725 at aol.com> wrote:
> >
> >> One of the technologies that has not been mentioned in this 
> discussion and might be useful in providing good tactile graphics 
> for blind students, is 3D printing.  While this specific use has 
> not been mentioned in any of the newsletters I am following, it 
> seems to me that it is worth exploring.  The field is expanding 
> rapidly and there are relatively inexpensive 3D printers coming on 
> the market that might be able to quickly produce a good tactile 
> graphic for not too much cost and effort.  Perhaps someone 
> knowledgeable in technology could explore this with the 3D printer folks.
> >>
> >> Eleanor Robinson
> >> 7-128 Software