3(r)D Point

3(r)D Point is an initiative started by the Prowadnica Foundation to encourage the making of architectural signage in Braille using 3D printing.
The official website of the project (3dpoint.tech) is currently only available in Polish, we will try to translate it as soon as possible. It contains full scientific documentation, tutorials and other information.
Please find summary information below.

We believe that universality and achievability are the foundations of accessibility. The world of accessibility is not stuck behind gilded gates, in a business zone, the world of accessibility can only be here and now.
Since 2021, we have been experimenting with the use of 3D printing in the production of signages with Braille, as well as QR codes, contrast information, sub-printing or embedded NFC tags. In total, we made more than 1,000 different signages with the most diverse settings and materials. As we are blind ourselves, we tested the signages first and then presented them to the wider public. Many of them were given to schools, offices, museums and hospitals all over Poland completely free of charge as part of the pilot project, where they are still in use today. By doing so, we were able to both confirm the feasibility of 3d printing of Braille signages, their durability and usability, as well as to create documentation and recommendations for achieving the expected effects - Braille is not at all easy to 3d print and it is very easy to get a very unsatisfactory result.
Now it is time for the next step. 3D printers have already become commonplace equipment: you will find them in almost every school in Poland, in almost every university, in the homes of many hobbyists and in offices. Our aim is not to keep knowledge to ourselves, on the contrary, we believe in a world of open software; a world in which the school, the hospital, the office, the university will print the necessary signages for themselves.

About the project

What is the 3(r)D Point project?

3(r)D Point is a project that aims to popularise the making of Braille signages using 3D printing. We believe that with the simplicity of making such signages, they will become more and more common.
The project consists of documentation of the process, a list of officially approved signages and sample models.

Can I join the 3(r)D Point project?

Of course! A 3d printer will be a necessity. So far, tests have only been carried out on Prusa's FDM printers, but the general principles of the process should be similar regardless of the equipment used.
The signages should also be suitable for SLA printing, more details are available in the documentation.

What is Prowadnica Foundation?

Prowadnica Foundation is a young organisation set up by blind people to help other blind people. Our activities are aimed primarily at young people, and focus on modern technology, media and information activities, as well as promoting the image of independent blind people in society.

How can I support the 3(r)D Point project?

Media support

The objectives of this project will only be achieved if awareness of it becomes widespread. The more institutions learn that they can make their own architectural signages, the greater the success of the project. That is why every share of this project is worth its weight in gold.

Financial support

The 3(r))D Point project was not set up as part of a grant or subsidy, it was set up in the belief that the ideas it expresses are the right ones. We would therefore be extremely grateful for any form of support for our activities.

Participation

Of course, the most effective form of support for the project can be through participation. We would also be hugely honoured to be approached by institutions that have implemented the project.

Brief list of recommendations for the printing of signages

• Signage orientation: vertical, extremely important as signages printed horizontally will result in very sharp Braille dots, details and calculations in documentation
• Nozzle diameter: 0.25 mm is the best, but 0.4 mm is also pretty good
• Layer height: no more than 0.1 mm for Braille
• Material: any without excessive tendency to threading - for indoor use Prusament PLA gives good results, for outdoor use depending on the level of sunshine ABS or ASA are suitable, also wood-filled materials give very pleasant surface and nylon gives some flexibility
• - Printing speed: up to 30 mm/s for MK3S+

Model making

We have developed dedicated, open-source CrystalDot software that automatically creates an STL file of the signage with the chosen content, using the chosen Braille language specification. Simply select the language and enter the text in the edit box and the appropriate signage is generated.

External references

• 3(r)D Point website (currently only in Polish)
• CrystalDot - our software for making Braille signages for 3d printing
• Scientific documentation (currently only in Polish)

Contents of this model

In this model you can find sample STLs of signages with different print difficulties and sample gCodes to test the idea.