Braille like Symbol Slate

A braille like symbol slate. 

Similar to a one line braille slate. This works with braille refill labeling tape and a braille stylus. Embosses symbols onto the tape that can then be stuck to things. Symbols were chosen where orientation doesn't matter too much.

This project is meant to help blind and color blind people label puzzles like Rubik's cubes, Pyraminx, Megaminx, etc. I know there are tactile Rubik's cubes but there are other twisty puzzles with no tactile version. Using the symbols and partial symbols it should even be possible to label a Tuttminx! You may come up with other uses for it besides twisty puzzles.

There is a version for lefties and one for righties. They just add pads the end opposite your dominant hand and give you 1 inch or 25mm of blank slate to hold onto. This makes it so you don't have to switch hands when you get to the end of the row. There is also a compact version that lacks the pads. Pictures are of the compact version.

The slate has a little finger rest with the symbols raised for blind accessibility. Helps to know what symbol you are on.

Printing.

I find a 0.2mm layer height allows the hinge to work better. Just fewer layers to stick together than 0.1mm layers or similar. 

I've printed this in PETG and like the print produced. I worry some of the small features might break in a more brittle material. Consider printing PETG on painter's tape to save your print bed. 

For post processing this is supposed to be like a print-in-place hinge. If it is stuck simply work it free. I find some of the dot symbols can print partly obstructed. Just punch them clear with a braille stylus and/or clean them out with an exact-o knife.

Using the slate.

It only requires one push to emboss a dot. To make a good line I find I have to go over it 5 times. I also have to pay attention that I'm getting the middle of the line not just the ends.

FreeCAD file included. 

You can download FreeCAD for free and change things about the project. I made it a reasonably parameterized file. The last part of the project file is a spreadsheet you can adjust some parameters with. To export an STL select both the Body002 large half and the Body003 small half then export.

Credit to Kate R. for requesting this project and working with me on it. I appreciate your insight.

Updated to make the embossed symbols larger.

If you would like to buy one printed see:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1423510187 can also be bundled with a stylus and tape.