STEM II is an entirely student-led project-based learning program where a group of students will work in a manner similar to a production company. There are the CEO, CIO, CMO, and CTO in a group, and they all have different tasks to work on. Each person assigned to their role is an expert in their respective field. The project focuses on solving a real-world problem and inventing a workable prototype. Thus, the student group would go through the entire engineering process and test their methods before arriving at their final solution.
Individuals who are visually impaired face numerous barriers in acquiring literature, a problem that is compounded by flaws in the current braille printing technology. Braille is a tactile writing system widely used by individuals with visual impairments. Among a multitude of applications, Braille notably allows individuals with visual impairments access to written literature. However, Braille literature is often fragile and/or expensive, posing a significant accessibility challenge to individuals who are visually impaired. Braille embossers, the most common technology used for braille printing, have numerous flaws. These printers often have extremely high costs, as printers often exceed $1,800 in upfront costs, which makes it difficult for individuals and smaller businesses to invest in Braille printing technology. Despite the high costs, the embossed dots in the paper have been shown to deteriorate over time if used frequently or if stored improperly. The tactile medium is also frequently significantly heavier than paper, making transport difficult for everyday use. Due to these limitations, braille literature is uncommon, and many individuals whose visual impairments are particularly acute have few opportunities to enjoy literary works.
The target audience for this design are businesses, educational institutions, organizations, and individuals looking to print Braille literature conveniently on-site. Thus, the design aims to make Braille printing more accessible and increase the production of the Braille-printed literature.
Our project was a Braille Printer that utilizes UV Resin to create reinforced Braille dots that will not scratch and are immune to water. Furthermore, the Braille printer would be significantly cheaper than the alternatives on the market. The Braille printer utilizes the 2-axis mover to put UV resin into the mold and create Braille in standard conventions.
