LAUSR

Abstract Tactile graphics with raised surfaces are used to convey information to visually impaired persons through haptic perception. For many temporary use applications, portable, easy to handle and moderately durable tactile graphics are needed and, therefore, fast, flexible and inexpensive production of small batches is required. In this paper, the feasibility of using increasingly popular rapid tooling techniques based on additive manufacturing to produce moulds to thermoform final tactile graphics is addressed. In particular, a study comparing two low cost additive manufacturing techniques, usually used for final part rapid prototyping and not for rapid tooling, 3D Printing and Fused Deposition Modelling, is shown and discussed. Geometrical reproduction of the moulds and their suitability for very thin plastic sheet thermoforming of tactile graphics is analysed. The study reveals that these techniques are technically feasible and, furthermore, costs are low in comparison to conventional techniques used to produce thermoforming moulds.