[TAGS] seeking durable material for tactile maps

Tue Jan 30 18:28:37 UTC 2024

Hello Cheryl,
LightHouse for the Blind's MAD Lab prefers direct digital UV flatbed printing for tactile designs that are durable and pleasing to both touch and appearance. The print quality is fantastic. Direct digital UV doesn't offer the z-depth of 3D but it's perfectly adequate for braille, tactile maps and raised line images.

Best,
Greg
madlab at lighthouse-sf.org

-----Original Message-----
From: TAGS <tags-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cheryl Fogle-Hatch via TAGS
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2024 2:58 PM
To: Tactile Art and Tactile Graphics Specialist list <tags at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Cheryl Fogle-Hatch <c.k.fogle at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [TAGS] seeking durable material for tactile maps

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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

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