[TAGS] seeking durable material for tactile maps

[Cheryl Fogle-Hatch]

Thanks for the suggestion about cast acrylic .

On 1/25/24, Matthew Gesualdi via TAGS <tags at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hey Cheryl,
>
> I'd recommend cast acrylic for laser cutting. It's very stable and with
> solvent adhesion,  makes for strong pieces. Acrylic comes in different
> thicknesses and colors.
>
> The colors are nice because you can have good color contrast without having
> to paint, which is better for overall durability. I've also used round and
> square acrylic rods to differentiate between structural and instructional
> features.
>
> Matt
>
> Matt Gesualdi
> www.Tact-Ed.org (stay tuned for a new name and mission)
>
> On Jan 25, 2024 1:30 PM, Cheryl Fogle-Hatch via TAGS <tags at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
> Hi Matt. The maps are for display. They likely will be mounted on the
> front of display cases. If I suggest laser cutting, what material
> would you suggest?
>
> On 1/25/24, Noel Runyan via TAGS <tags at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi Cheryl,
>> There is an inexpensive method for producing braille and tactile graphics
>> materials that feel good and are more durable than standard paper braille
>> materials.  The object is to make the embossed areas solid, rather than
>> hollow paper or plastic that can be squashed.  Some transcription
>> services
>> start by embossing on standard braille paper, to obtain the good feel of
>> paper dots and lines.  Then they flip the paper over and fill in the
>> holes
>> and lines with various plastic coating liquid.  When dry, the plastic
>> fills
>> in the holes, making them solid and very durable.  That way, the reading
>> side of the tactile embossing feels like normal braille and tactile
>> graphics, without any of the moist finger stiction problems typically
>> encountered with thermoform, Swell paper, or other plastic or metal
>> reading
>> surfaces.
>> Speaking of metal, there have been some tactile map production services
>> that
>> make their maps out of metal sheets.  These are expensive, but are
>> sometimes
>> used in national parks and other places where they may be exposed to rain
>> and other outdoor stress.
>> Cordially,
>> If you haven't done so already, I'd encourage you to speak with Brian, at
>> National Braille Press, Boston, as they have several methods for
>> producing
>> tactile maps.
>> Noel
>> -
>> Noel H. Runyan
>> Email: Noel at PersonalDataSystems.com<mailto:Noel at PersonalDataSystems.com>
>>
>> On 1/25/2024 7:32 AM, Matthew Gesualdi via TAGS wrote:
>>> Hi Cheryl, > > If these maps will be handed to people, then a light
>>> thermoformed > styrene plastic would work well. All the work is up front
>>> making the > tool, and then thermoforming more as you need them works
>>> well. > > If these are to be fixed to a display, then I'd recommend two
>>> >
>>> choices. 3D printing works well if the end product is covered with a >
>>> solvent that smooths the fiber layers so the map is cleanable. You > can
>>> also add different textures with the same methid. The second is > laser
>>> cutting. It makes for a hard, durable material but may require > more
>>> labor than any other method. > > Give me a shout if you want to talk
>>> more.
>>> > > Hope you are well. Matt Gesualdi > > Matt Gesualdi
>>> www.Tact-Ed.org<http://www.Tact-Ed.org> (stay tuned for a new name and >
>>> mission) > > On Jan 24, 2024 9:41 AM, Cheryl Fogle-Hatch via TAGS >
>>> <tags at nfbnet.org><mailto:tags at nfbnet.org> wrote: > > Hi everyone. > > I
>>> am
>>> working with a mid-sized historical museum to create tactile > maps for
>>> display in their gallery. We are seeking more durable > materials than
>>> swell form or other paper products. They have a > fabrication
>>> department,
>>> and I'm considering recommending wood cut, or > laser cut, or vinyl or
>>> 3D
>>> printing (plastic). > > I'm curious if you have encountered tactile maps
>>> made of durable > material, and if so what you noticed, liked, or
>>> disliked. > > Thanks in advance. > > Cheryl > > > - Cheryl Fogle-Hatch,
>>> Ph.D. Archaeologist and Museum Professional > (443) 939-8217
>>> c.k.fogle at gmail.com<mailto:c.k.fogle at gmail.com> https://museumsenses.org
>>> >
>>> https://www.linkedin.com/pub/cheryl-fogle-hatch > >
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>
>
> --
> Cheryl Fogle-Hatch, Ph.D.
> Archaeologist and Museum Professional
> (443) 939-8217
> c.k.fogle at gmail.com
> https://museumsenses.org
> https://www.linkedin.com/pub/cheryl-fogle-hatch
>
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-- 
Cheryl Fogle-Hatch, Ph.D.
Archaeologist and Museum Professional
(443) 939-8217
c.k.fogle at gmail.com
https://museumsenses.org
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/cheryl-fogle-hatch