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Science and Engineering Concepts for Research
Science and Engineering Concepts for Research
AI image recognition, even though we are not using AI to identify money anymore, we are still designing a system to work with an AI-based money reader meaning this still has to be kept in mind.
The material science of different plastics
friction and wear resistance of different plastics
Elastica deformation
hinge design
magnets and their effect on phones
STEM Principles
STEM Principles
STEM Principle 1: Mathematics
STEM Principle 1: Mathematics
The connection to the project problem: designing and creating a design for a brailling device
The connection to the project problem: designing and creating a design for a brailling device
Relation to design specifications: The team was able to find the measurements needed for the brailling device by comparing the generic design online to a google pixel phone, then implementing correct measurements so the device fits snugly on the back of a phone. The team also discovered an easier method to push the braille arms with specific degree changes to the arms. Furthermore, a fair amount of our CAD Models are generated off of parametric values allowing us to edit one equation to change multiple features of our design. This math is rather basic as most of it is just multiplication addition subtraction and division however when this is paired with other model features it allows us to quickly change the design with the equations automatically correcting the size of other components. With this STEM principle, finding blind-friendly spacing between braille numbers was easy, and made the replication process to different versions simple and efficient.
Relation to design specifications: The team was able to find the measurements needed for the brailling device by comparing the generic design online to a google pixel phone, then implementing correct measurements so the device fits snugly on the back of a phone. The team also discovered an easier method to push the braille arms with specific degree changes to the arms. Furthermore, a fair amount of our CAD Models are generated off of parametric values allowing us to edit one equation to change multiple features of our design. This math is rather basic as most of it is just multiplication addition subtraction and division however when this is paired with other model features it allows us to quickly change the design with the equations automatically correcting the size of other components. With this STEM principle, finding blind-friendly spacing between braille numbers was easy, and made the replication process to different versions simple and efficient.
STEM Principle 2: Science
STEM Principle 2: Science
The connection to the project problem: material science and plastics
The connection to the project problem: material science and plastics
Relation to design specifications: Due to the shift in the design and the team is moving towards more plastic-based braillers and due to access to 3D printers, the team has a wide variety of thermoplastics to choose from. For the project, there must be an understanding of the basic material science behind polymers to be able to select a polymer that is rigid enough to be pressed down upon but it's flexible enough to move a bit without snapping. Furthermore, the material must be tough enough to be dropped without shattering while possessing enough strength to not shear off at layer lines from 3d printing. Ideally, something cheap and easy to print with like PLA+ is the best, but it's more likely that the team will have to go with another thermoplastic like ASA or PETG which may offer more strength. The addition of additives to the filament to improve material properties with PLA carbon fiber is something to look into as well. Between the team and the school, there are all these films on hand however looking into getting something like carbon fiber nylon would be good, it is a little spendy but has a moniker of black aluminum or using the stratus printer somehow big you to get some peak or pack based filament (High-performance plastic, a 1 kg roll will cost you the price of my base printer). To narrow this down the team can do some strength testing and look at experimental data others have done however since every hobbyist’s 3D printer is unique it may be worth it just using the stratus machines. To determine the proper filament the team can print a few test samples to test how much one leaf would bend on the device and test how much it will bend before it will shear and how much force can be applied to it before giving material fails. However, the team will probably print the phone case out of TPU or exotic TPE.
Relation to design specifications: Due to the shift in the design and the team is moving towards more plastic-based braillers and due to access to 3D printers, the team has a wide variety of thermoplastics to choose from. For the project, there must be an understanding of the basic material science behind polymers to be able to select a polymer that is rigid enough to be pressed down upon but it's flexible enough to move a bit without snapping. Furthermore, the material must be tough enough to be dropped without shattering while possessing enough strength to not shear off at layer lines from 3d printing. Ideally, something cheap and easy to print with like PLA+ is the best, but it's more likely that the team will have to go with another thermoplastic like ASA or PETG which may offer more strength. The addition of additives to the filament to improve material properties with PLA carbon fiber is something to look into as well. Between the team and the school, there are all these films on hand however looking into getting something like carbon fiber nylon would be good, it is a little spendy but has a moniker of black aluminum or using the stratus printer somehow big you to get some peak or pack based filament (High-performance plastic, a 1 kg roll will cost you the price of my base printer). To narrow this down the team can do some strength testing and look at experimental data others have done however since every hobbyist’s 3D printer is unique it may be worth it just using the stratus machines. To determine the proper filament the team can print a few test samples to test how much one leaf would bend on the device and test how much it will bend before it will shear and how much force can be applied to it before giving material fails. However, the team will probably print the phone case out of TPU or exotic TPE.
STEM Principle 3: Engineering
STEM Principle 3: Engineering
The connection to the project problem: needed to create mock-ups and prototypes of the design
The connection to the project problem: needed to create mock-ups and prototypes of the design
Relation to design specifications: Finding the correct size, weight, and hinge design for the team’s device was implemented using the engineering STEM principle. By using plastic filament for 3D printing, the team was able to create a close-to-final design for the stakeholders to comment on. Through this process, the team was able to put elastic deformation and wear resistance factors into thought when crafting a concept of brailler. The trial and error process was implemented in this principle to help the team think of new versions of the brailler that would be more efficient in the process of making and consumer usage. 3D printers and filament was also used to create the mock-ups for this project because they can take CAD designs from fusion and print the design within a fair amount of time. At the moment the team is looking for print and place designs to make sure it never falls apart. However, the clearances between the hinge and the hinge pin will take some trial and error along with finding the thickness at which the product won't be destroyed by use but is as flat and small as possible.
Relation to design specifications: Finding the correct size, weight, and hinge design for the team’s device was implemented using the engineering STEM principle. By using plastic filament for 3D printing, the team was able to create a close-to-final design for the stakeholders to comment on. Through this process, the team was able to put elastic deformation and wear resistance factors into thought when crafting a concept of brailler. The trial and error process was implemented in this principle to help the team think of new versions of the brailler that would be more efficient in the process of making and consumer usage. 3D printers and filament was also used to create the mock-ups for this project because they can take CAD designs from fusion and print the design within a fair amount of time. At the moment the team is looking for print and place designs to make sure it never falls apart. However, the clearances between the hinge and the hinge pin will take some trial and error along with finding the thickness at which the product won't be destroyed by use but is as flat and small as possible.
Expert Input
Expert Input
agree if this material (pros and cons) will work
We have sent emails out we are waiting for responses.
Beth McGarr liked the older model we made better as the width of the fingers was wider. However, she did think that the spacing between the cells was too large (we did make it in compliance with a standard for braille size one that we did see used in the US for some laws and regulations but is commonly used around the world but either something's wrong with the model or it's a bad size to use as it does look like it's way too spaced out.) So we will switch it from 6 mm to 5.08mm to match the specks from the braille authority of north America. She said TPU or nylon maybe a good material to use and that we would be able to use and glue and paint on abs however she is not an engineer which is shown in her answer (typically use a solvent like asatone to dissolve two pieces of ABS together not necessarily gluing them). But she did know someone who has a doctorate in polymer chemistry and she may be able to get us in contact with them.
smaller model - work better
braille spacing easier to read
Possible Equipment Needs
Possible Equipment Needs
Consider what will be needed in the design phase, the creation phase and the testing phase.
FDM 3D printer (for producing rough prototypes of parts also SLS or SlM printers would work fine).
CAD software + computer for generating 3d models. (our team is using Fusion 360 for its file management features allowing multiple people to modify the same document and the ability to quickly switch between devices for modeling do to the cloud-based ecosystem)
knives, razors, tweezers, metal scrapers, and pliers for removing supports from 3D-printed parts.
sandpaper for cleaning up rough edges of prints.
Force probe, testing and recording the force needed to emboss braille.
some sort of thermoplastic (probably petg or some other tough polymer that has a semi-high degree for elastic deformation).
we will try to use the magnets that are on hand in the class to use up materials we already possess.
Citations
Citations
Size and spacing of braille characters. (n.d.). Braille Authority of North America. Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://brailleauthority.org/size-and-spacing-braille-characters#:~:text=Dots%20shall%20be%201%2F10,dots%20in%20the%20second%20cell.
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