Devices

Braille Stereotypes and Duplicators

This section covers the systems available for multiple copies - vacuum forming and plates for use in a press. Also included are systems for scanning a page of Braille so that it can be stored digitally; this means that it can be duplicated by outputting on a computer-controlled Braille embosser.

Vacuum forming machines can be used for producing copies from a single-sided Braille master. The technique is that a sheet of thermoplastic is heated, then sucked down to conform to the shape of the Braille master, and then cooled so that it retains this shape. The advantages of this system are simplicity and the low capital cost. The disadvantages include the high cost of the thermoplastic sheets and that plastic is not as comfortable to read as Braille embossed on paper.

A stereotype machine embosses a pair of metal or plastic plates which are then used in a press for embossing paper. The metal plates can be used for producing hundreds or thousands of copies. The input to the stereotyper can be direct by a skilled braillist or from digital signals such as from a computer.

American Thermoform Corporation
1758 Brackett Street, La Verne, California 91750, USA.
Tel: +1 909 593 6711; 800 331 3676 (USA and Canada only)
Fax: +1 909 593 8001
Email: sales@americanthermoform.com
Web: www.americanthermoform.com

E-Z Form
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Vacuum forming machine with a range of platens up to 11 x 11.5 inches (279 x 292mm). Maximum forming area is one inch (25mm) less than each dimension of sheet. Sheet sizes are same as frame and platen sizes. Operates from 110/220 volts or 50/60 Hz supply.
Length: 890mm Width: 410mm Height: 410mm
Price: $2,545.00
Last updated: 01/12/2006

Maxi-Form
Vacuum forming machine with a maximum forming area of 317 x 438mm. The larger forming area lends itself to maps, signs, graphs, charts and innovative teaching aid production. The Maxi-Form can be used with an interchangeable 11 x 11.5 in. frame when standard Braille duplication is required. Operates from 110/220 volts or 50/60 Hz.
Length: 940mm Width: 600mm Height: 410mm
Price: $3,450.00
Last updated: 01/12/2006

Asian Power Cyclopes
Rochipura, Majra, Dehradun 248171, India.
Tel: +91 135 2620488
Fax: +91 135 2620961
Email: paritoshgulati@yahoo.com; asian@nde.vsnl.net.in

Braille Printing Box
Manually operated mini braille press most suitable where there are low labour costs.
Price: US$2,200.00
Last updated: 04/05/2006

Braille Xerox Machine (Thermoform)
This machine is used to make copies of braille printed material on braillon sheets.
Price: US$2,200.00
Last updated: 04/05/2006

Blista-Brailletec gGmbH
Industriestrasse 11, D-35041 Marburg, Germany.
Tel: +49 6421 8020
Fax: +49 6421 80214
Email: Brailletec@Brailletec.de
Web: www.Brailletec.de

BTec 100
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Small, light-weight and mobile braille printer with automatic single-sheet feed and an own printer driver for Windows. A paper tray which is easily mounted on the printer can use paper widths from A4 to A3 (when vertically inserted). The paper format is automatically detected while being inserted. Additionally, the user can create and freely define as many ASCII braille tables as desired. 6 and 8 dot braille, up to 44 cells/line. Printing speed up to 13 cells/sec. Serial port for PC connection.
Length: 400mm Width: 120mm Height: 140mm
Weight: 4.5kg
Ref: 00 44000
Price: €1995.00
Last updated: 12/06/2006

GPB3 Braille Platen Press
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The flat-bed press is for printing books and journals. Printing output: 1000 - 2500 cycles/hour.
Length: 2050mm Width: 1775mm Height: 1835mm
Weight: 3800kg
Ref: 00 61004
Price: Contact manufacturer
Last updated: 12/06/2006

Marburg Rotary
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Sheet rotary embossing machine for mass production of Braille periodicals and books. Embossing volume of 28000 pages/hour (approximately 7000 sheets/hour). Uses paper from a roll. Character sizing: large print dot spacing 2.7mm, medium print dot spacing 2.5mm.
Weight: 770kg
Ref: 00 61000
Price: Contact manufacturer
Last updated: 12/06/2006

Puma VI Marburg Embossing Machine
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Computerised Braille stereotyper for on-line operation with a serial interface. Embossing speed 18 characters per second. Interdot and interline embossing, 6 and 8 dot Braille, 2.5mm or 2.7mm dot spacing. Full graphics capability with smooth arcs and lines. Electronic auto-correction system verifies that the embossed sign is identical to the sign sent from the PC. For plate embossing.
Weight: 282kg
Ref: 00 55000
Price: Contact manufacturer
Last updated: 12/06/2006

Cidat-Once
Camino de Hormigueras, 172 E, Madrid 28031, Spain.
Tel: +34 91 709 76 00
Fax: +34 91 709 77 77
Email: cidat@once.es
Web: cidat.once.es

Impacto Texto Printer
A printer aimed at industrial production of high quality Braille with minimum maintenance. Print speed of 800pph and up to 42 characters per line. Uses the 6 and 8-dot Braille system. Management of files to be printed can be made with Windows 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000 and XP, or MS DOS.
Last updated: 12/06/2006

CR Clarke & Company (UK) Limited
Unit 3, Betws Industrial Park, Foundry Road, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire SA18 2LS, UK.
Tel: +44 1269 590530
Fax: +44 1269 590540
Email: info@crclarke.co.uk
Web: www.crclarke.co.uk

Braille Reproduction Machine 350
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Reproduces Braille text and diagrams in 2 seconds on 0.1mm (0.004in) PVC ‘Brailon’ sheets. Forms the two most commonly used sheet sizes - 280 x 292mm and 280 x 216 mm. Adjustable ceramic heater system. Tactile legend plates on frequently used controls. Adjustable cycle timer and resettable copy counter.
Length: 1140mm Width: 570mm Height: 370mm
Last updated: 01/12/2006

Enabling Technologies
1601 NE Braille Place, Jensen Beach, Florida 34957, USA.
Tel: +1 772 225 3687
Fax: +1 772 225 3299
Email: enabling@brailler.com
Web: www.brailler.com

PED-30
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Creates zinc master plates from computer for commercial press braille. Features include: 40 characters per second; 40 cells per line and 30 lines per page; 6 dot Braille cell; serial port; single-sheet feed.
Last updated: 01/12/2006

Index Braille
Hantverksvägen 20, PO Box 155, S-954 23 Gammelstad, Sweden.
Tel: +46 920 20 30 80
Fax: +46 920 20 30 85
Email: info@indexbraille.com
Web: www.indexbraille.com

All prices are exclusive of VAT, freight and local taxes.

4X4 PRO
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4X4 PRO is a double sided embosser for magazine format. Embossed documents are ready for immediate use after folding and stapling. The 4X4 PRO is made for mass production of braille. Printing speed 95 characters per second, USB, Network (TCP/IP), Centronics and serial interface, text buffer 100 pages, multicopy capability.
Length: 560mm Width: 180mm Height: 430mm
Weight: 13.6 kg
Ref: 1352
Price: €4195.00
Last updated: 12/02/2007

Acoustic Cabinet 4X4 PRO
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An Acoustic Cabinet is an optional part of the 4X4 PRO. It reduces the noise level to the standards of an office environment and serves to ensure stable paper handling. The integrated fan reduces the embosser working temperature. Acoustic Cabinet 4X4 PRO 17" is designed for a maximum paper size of length 460mm.
Length: 510mm Width: 690mm Height: 152mm
Weight: 46 kg
Ref: 1262
Price: €1095.00
Last updated: 12/02/2007

Sparsh Products
151-5 Rajpur Road, Dehradun 248 001 (U. A.), India.
Tel: +91 135 309 9873
Fax: +91 135 265 0944
Email: sparshp@vsnl.com
Web: www.sparshproducts.com (site under construction)

Sparsh Forming Machine (Thermoforming)
For duplication work of Braille and raised figure material on braillon (PVC) sheets. Available in standard size of 11" x 11.5" (28 x 29cms). Machine can be made available in different sizes on order. Braillon sheets are available, sized 11" x 11.5" (28 x 29cms) to be used with the Sparsh Forming Machine.
Price: US$1,100.00 (US$18.00 for Braillon sheets)
Last updated: 09/06/2006