Devices

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Devices for Embossed Graphics

Embossed diagrams can be useful to some blind persons for communicating graphical information. There is a need for systems for producing maps and diagrams for the blind as well as systems for drawing by the blind.

The choice of method of production will depend on the ultimate use of the map or diagram and on financial considerations. Traditionally copies have been made on manila paper, but this material imposes physical limitations on the design; there is a limited range of discriminable symbols, relatively low height of embossing, and paper is not suitable for outdoor use in wet climates. Many of the systems developed in recent years have employed vacuum forming of plastic sheets, which are more durable and capable of better symbol definition.

It has been found desirable to use more than one height of embossing, but many production systems are limited to a single elevation. The optimum elevation of symbols will depend on whether the copies are monolithic, whether the map is for outdoor use, and the tactual sensitivity of the user. If the production system requires an accurate visual master for each elevation of embossing, then the maps will be very expensive when only a few copies are required.

Raised line drawing kit

These kits have been designed for drawing by blind persons or by teachers who need to produce a map or diagram quickly. The most usual method is to use a ballpoint pen on Mylar or Melinex, which puckers under the pressure of the pen. This system can produce only one type of line, and Braille cannot be added easily.

Metal foil

A master for vacuum forming is made by embossing a sheet of aluminium foil. The map has to be drawn in mirror image on the back of the foil, which is then placed on a rubber mat; the lines are embossed with a spur wheel. Textured areas can be produced by gluing sandpaper to the front surface of the foil. A variant of this system is to use a device incorporating a motor-driven hammer which embosses the metal foil or a sheet of plastic.

String master

This method involves building up a master on transparent cellulose. Various thicknesses of string are used for line symbols; sandpapers, linoleum and fabrics are used for textures.

Wire master

Similar to the previous method except that solder wire is used in place of string. Solder can be rolled to give solid, dotted or dashed lines with a triangular cross-section.

Solid dot

Screen printing with a foaming ink works better under laboratory conditions than in a production environment. The system can produce multicoloured maps but the maximum elevation is low and there is poor control over dot profile.

Embossed metal plates

A system, based on the traditional method of printing Braille books, involves embossing a pair of metal plates on a special machine. The plates are used in a press for making copies on manila paper. This system is usually limited to producing maps in a punctate form with only one elevation of embossing.

Photocopier

Wet ink is dusted with a fine resinous powder or sand that adheres to the wet ink as a raised symbol when heated. A more recent technique is to use capsule paper; the image is photocopied onto the special paper which is then heated, the black areas absorb more heat and swell up. The technique gives limited control over the elevation of embossing.

Photoetching

A photographic copy of the map is placed on top of a sheet of photosensitive plastic that is exposed to ultravoilet light, and the master is chemically etched to the required depth. It is necessary to repeat the process for each different elevation on the map.

Photolathe

A lathe is controlled by a photoelectric scanner; the system is limited to a single elevation. A similar system is where the lathe is replaced by a solenoid; this will produce diagrams only in punctate form.

Computer-aided system

These systems use computer-aided design techniques for the input and editing of the data. One possible output is on a numerically-controlled machine tool which makes a master, and copies are vacuum formed; the quality of the resulting map or diagram is high but the capital cost of the equipment is also high. A less expensive method is to output in print and then reproduce using capsule paper.

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Repro-Tronics Inc
75 Carver Avenue, Westwood, New Jersey 07675, USA.
Tel: +1 201 722 1880
Fax: +1 201 722 1881
Email: info@repro-tronics.com
Web: www.repro-tronics.com

Tactile Image Enhancer
Converts images which are paper into tactile images. Capable of converting mathematical, musical and scientific drawings as well as maps.
Height: 200mm Depth: 127mm Width: 508mm
Weight: 8kg
Price: $1096.00
Last updated:12/06/2006

Tactile Image Enhancer Junior
As above but smaller, lighter and more portable. No feed or exit trays.
Height: 120mm Depth: 146mm Width: 375mm
Weight: 4lbs
Price: $450.00
Last updated: 12/06/2006

Flexi-Paper
Flexi-Paper is imaged by drawing upon it with a soft lead pencil, printing on it or imaging through an office copier. Then passed through the TIE and Tactile documents are created. Flexi-Paper documents are so durable that they can be folded, even crumbled into a ball and the tactile image will NOT be distorted. Of equal importance the paper will not crease. A crease has the potential of transmitting false information as a distorted tactile image. Flexi-Paper is available in multiple lots of 100 sheets only.
Prices are per sheet:

	5 1/2 x 8 1/2"	8 1/2 x 11"	11 x 11 1/2"	11 x 17"	A4	A3
100	$0.40	$0.75	$1.15	$1.50	$0.75	$1.50
200	$0.38	$0.70	$1.05	$1.40	$0.70	$1.40
500	$0.35	$0.65	$0.98	$1.30	$0.65	$1.30
1000	$0.32	$0.60	$0.90	$1.20	$0.60	$1.20

Last updated: 12/06/2006

Thermo-Pen I
Writing instrument designed to create a raised image directly on Felxi-Paper. Portable device which is charged by two 9 volt batteries. The pen has to be held vertically over the paper without actual pressure being applied in order to produce a tactile image.
Price: $115.00
Last updated: 12/06/2006

Thermo-Pen II
Similar to Thermo-Pen I but is designed as a stationary device, required to be plugged into an outlet therefore being able to operate all day. Control knob to control the temperature of the tip as well as the on/off function. Creates images at a highter rate of speed than Thermo-Pen I.
Price: $130.00
Last updated: 12/06/2006

RNIB
105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE, UK.
UK Customer Services Tel: 0845 702 3153
UK Customer Services Email: cservices@rnib.org.uk
Overseas Customer Services Tel: +44 1733 37 5400
Overseas Customer Services Email: exports@rnib.org.uk
Online Shop: www.rnib.org.uk/shop

NB: Some of the RNIB products have two prices where they have been specifically designed or adapted for disabled people. The lower price excludes VAT and applies to blind and partially sighted people resident in the UK and exempt from paying VAT and to UK charities buying on their behalf. Where one price is displayed this applies to all customers and includes VAT of 17.5%.

There is a separate catalogue available for overseas customers. If you have any enquiries, please contact RNIB Exports Department on +44 1733 37 54 00.

Cantelo Embossing Spur Wheel
A small wheel in a metal handle with a cross piece which helps to maintain the correct angle.
Ref: LC25
Price: £19.99; £23.49
Last updated: 26/05/2006

Hooked Embossing Spur Wheel
Recommended for embossing curves and circles.
Ref: LC26
Price: £15.65; £18.39
Last updated: 26/05/2006

Ordinary Embossing Spur Wheel
A serrated wheel which produces continuous embossed lines. Particularly useful for embossing maps or complicated diagrams.
Ref: LC24
Price: £7.70; £9.05
Last updated: 26/05/2006

Upward Embossing Spur Wheel
A wheel that produces a strong embossed line.
Ref: LC27
Price: £23.16; £27.21
Last updated: 26/05/2006

ViewPlus Technologies Inc
1853 SW Airport Ave, Corvallis, Oregon 97333, USA.
Tel: +1 541 754 4002; (Toll free: 866 836 2184)
Fax: +1 541 738 6505
Email: sales@viewplus.com
Web: www.viewplus.com

Tiger Pro
The Tiger Pro is an embosser that is capable of embossing up to 100 CPS or 5 pages of braille per minute. Paper size width 4" to 17". Interpoint & Intergraphix (2 pass process allows user to mix graphics & interpoint text). The Tiger Pro can emboss 20 dots per inch resolution with automatic conversion of colored and shaded images to 3-D tactile graphics. Optional tractor feed paper or single sheet feed is available. Up to three cut sheet paper stackers are available for the Pro. The Tiger features user-selectable tactile fonts, including computer braille and DotsPlus® Braille in portrait or landscape mode. No sound enclosure is necessary for any Tiger units. All Tiger units can emboss over various surfaces such as braille paper, computer paper, labels, plastic, card stock. System requirements are a PC 486, or higher with Windows® 95/98/ME/2000/XP operating system. All Tiger embossers can print directly from mainstream windows applications.
Price: $9,750.00
Last updated: 24/04/2006

Tiger Max
The Tiger Max embosses up to 60 CPS or 4 pages per minute. Paper size width 4" to 14". Tiger Max embosses interpoint and intergraphix. The Tiger Max uses a tractor paper feeder and individual cut sheet feeder (standard). Cut sheet stack paper feeder (optional). The Max embosses on braille paper, computer paper, labels, plastic, card stock, and more. 20 dots per inch resolution. Automatic conversion of colored and shaded images to 3-D tactile graphics.
Price: $5,995.00
Last updated: 24/04/2006

Tiger Cub
The Tiger Cub can emboss braille at 50 CPS or 4 pages per minute. Paper size width 4" to 9.5". Tiger Cub embosses interpoint and intergraphix. This unit uses a tractor paper feeder and individual cut sheet feeder (standard) and the cut sheet stack paper feeder (optional). The Cub produces 20 dots per inch resolution with automatic conversion of colored and shaded images to 3-D tactile graphics. The Cub embosses on braille paper, computer paper, labels, plastic, card stock, and more.
Price: $4,995.00
Last updated: 24/04/2006

Tiger Cub Jr
The Tiger Cub Jr. is an embosser capable of producing 30 CPS or 2 pages per minute. Paper size width 4" to 9.5" Tiger Cub Jr. embosses interpoint and intergraphix. This unit uses a tractor paper feeder and individual cut sheet feeder (standard) and the cut sheet stack paper feeder (optional). The Tiger Cub Jr. produces 20 dots per inch resolution with automatic conversion of colored and shaded images to 3-D tactile graphics. The Tiger Cub Jr. embosses on braille paper, computer paper, labels, plastic, card stock, and more.
Price: $3,995.00
Last updated: 24/04/2006

Ink Attachment
HP Inkjet transforms the Tiger Pro to an embossing printer. Print interline braille and ink text; overprint braille and tactile graphics and emboss double-sided ink and braille.
Price: $3,995.00
Last updated: 24/04/2006

Tiger Software Suite
Tiger Formatter
Text-to-braille translator and formatter for MS Word and Excel: translates multiple languages simultaneously; displays original text above braille characters (print original text along with braille and graphics on the Tiger Pro Embossers with the Pro Ink Attachment); maintains users special text formatting and graphics; adjusts character size and line spacing automatically.
Tiger Designer
Tactile graphics design studio: includes tools for writing, drawing, painting and shading; adds braille labels vertically or horizontally; edits graphics designed in other programs like Adobe Illustator and CorelDraw; displays preview of page as it will be embossed.
Tiger Translator Lite
Text-to-braille translator for working outside MS Office: translates to braille in programs not suited for Tiger Formatter; converts clipboard text to braille for pasting into virtually any document.
Price: $295.00
Last updated: 24/04/2006

Zychem Ltd
Unit 1, Valley COurt, Sanderson Way, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 0GF, UK.
Email: info@zychem-ltd.co.uk
Web: www.zychem-ltd.co.uk

ZY-FUSE Heater
Produces touch-sensitive relief diagrams when processing ZY-TEX2 Swell Paper. Features include: auto start and stop; manual temperature adjustment and five paper size processing capability - A4; B4; A3; 8.5" x 11"; 11.5" x 11". Produces 4 pages per minute.
Length: 500mm Width: 520mm Height: 150mm
Weight: 7.2kg
Last updated: 14/06/2006

ZY-FUSE Pro
Produces touch-sensitive relief diagrams when processing ZY-TEX2 Swell Paper. Features include: auto start and stop; manual temperature adjustment and five paper size processing capability - A4; B4; A3; 8.5" x 11"; 11.5" x 11", and a speed adjustable conyeor belt. Produces 16 pages per minute.
Last updated: 14/06/2006

ZY-TEX2 Swell Paper
UK manufactured paper for making tactile diagrams. Comes in a variety of sizes from A4 to A3. Possible to produce bespoke sizes.
Last updated: 14/06/2006

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