A thermoforming machine used for tactile graphics for the blind is a specialized device used to create raised shapes, diagrams, maps and more that can be felt by touch. These graphics are used to help blind and visually impaired individuals understand and interpret information that would otherwise be presented visually.

The process of creating tactile graphics using a thermoforming machine involves several steps. First, an object such as a key, a coin or any object that is less than 1.5″ in height is placed upon the Thermoform machines bed. The film is then placed in the thermoforming machine and on-top of the object. The top lid is then closed down upon the object and this lid applies heat and pressure to the film, causing it to conform to the shape of the raised areas of the object. The resulting tactile graphic can be felt and interpreted by touch.

Many educational institutions and businesses will create a large scale production by creating a map say of a country on a metal sheet. That sheet is placed into the thermoform tray, a sheet of thermoform paper placed on-top and then processed. The metal sheet acts like a template allowing for quick, accurate and high volume production of the map. Maps of countries, cities and even maps with directions such as at a university information center are excellent uses of a thermoforming machine for the blind or visually impaired.

Thermoforming machines used for this type of tactile graphics differ from traditional thermoforming machines used in manufacturing industries in several ways. One of the main differences is simply the size of the machines. An American Thermoform machine comes in two sizes one with a tray that is 8×11 and another that is 11″x17″ in both cases these machines have a maximum depth of approximately 1.5 inches. A thermoform machine used in manufacturing could potentially be used to create an imprint of a large part such as a door handle, a large gear or similar. These machines are mainly used to create prototypes.  Another industrial application is in packaging. Electronics or other fragile parts might be placed in a thermoform machine which packages the unit using a cushioning material.

This brings out the final point.

A thermoform machine used for tactile graphics uses a specialized thin and flexible plastic material called Brailon. An industrial application thermoform machine may use a wide variety of materials including thick plastics and metals.

Additionally, the types of materials used in thermoforming machines for tactile graphics are often different from those used in other industries. Tactile graphics are typically created using a special film that is sensitive to heat and pressure, whereas other industries may use a wider range of materials such as plastics, metals, or composite materials.

Another important difference is the design of the machine itself. Thermoforming machines for tactile graphics are often smaller and more specialized than traditional thermoforming machines, with features such as adjustable heat and pressure settings, and the ability to produce smaller runs of customized graphics. These features are essential for creating high-quality tactile graphics that meet the specific needs of the blind and visually impaired community.

A Braille typewriter is a mechanical device used for producing embossed Braille characters on paper. It works by pressing keys, which cause a metal or plastic stylus to punch dots into a sheet of paper. The resulting dots form Braille characters that can be read by touch.

Some features that make for a high-quality Braille typewriter include:

1. Durability: A high-quality Braille typewriter should be built to last and withstand frequent use.
2. Precision: The keys should be accurately aligned to ensure that the correct Braille characters are produced.
3. Ease of use: The keys should be easy to press, and the device should be easy to operate.
4. Portability: Many Braille typewriters are designed to be portable, so they can be easily transported and used in different locations.

Perkins Braille typewriters are one of the most well-known and widely used braille typewriters. They are known for their durability, precision, and ease of use. The Perkins Brailler was invented in 1951 by David Abraham and is still sold today through American Thermoform.

Perkins Braillers are designed to produce braille characters using a six-dot system, with each dot represented by a key on the machine. The keys are arranged in two rows, with three keys in each row. Users press combinations of these keys to produce specific Braille characters.

One of the advantages of the Perkins Brailler is its simplicity. It is easy to operate and does not require any electricity or batteries, which makes it a reliable and portable device. It is also built to last and can withstand frequent use.

In addition to the typewriter itself, users will need to purchase supplies such as braille paper and a slate and stylus. American Thermoform also sells a range of accessories for the Perkins Brailler, including dust covers, carrying cases, and replacement parts.

One of the most significant advantages of purchasing a Perkins Brailler from American Thermoform is their commitment to customer service. They offer support for new users, as well as repair services for damaged machines. Additionally, American Thermoform offers a range of other products for the blind and visually impaired, including tactile graphics, Braille labels, and fully automated braille printers.

Meet Sarah. She is a blind woman who has been using braille to navigate her world since she was a child. Despite the challenges she faces, she leads an active life and is a valued member of her community.

On a typical day, Sarah wakes up at 6 am and starts her morning routine. She brushes her teeth, gets dressed, and prepares breakfast using her tactile kitchen tools. As she sips her coffee, she listens to the radio news to keep up with the latest developments.

At 8 am, Sarah leaves her apartment and heads to work. She uses her cane to navigate the sidewalks, and braille signs in the subway station to find her way to the platform. Once on the train, she listens for announcements of upcoming stops and feels the vibrations of the train to know when to get off.

At her job, Sarah works as a customer service representative. She uses a braille computer and a special device called a refreshable braille display to read and respond to emails from customers. She also uses braille notes to keep track of her tasks and schedule.

After work, Sarah heads to the grocery store to buy some groceries. She uses her cane to navigate the aisles and finds the products she needs by touch. She reads the braille labels on the items to confirm their contents and prices.

On her way back home, Sarah stops at the public library. She loves reading and uses the library’s collection of braille books to access a wide range of literature. She also enjoys exploring the tactile graphics that accompany some of the books, which bring the stories to life in a unique way.

At the end of the day, Sarah heads back home, tired but content. She spends some time listening to music or talking to friends on the phone. Before going to bed, she reads a few chapters of a braille book, and then turns off the light, ready for a new day tomorrow.

Although Sarah’s life may seem challenging to some, she has developed a rich set of skills that allow her to navigate her world with ease. She is an inspiration to others and shows that with determination and hard work, anyone can overcome their obstacles and lead a fulfilling life.

If there were no braille books, braille signs, braille labels and tactile graphics, Sarah’s life would be significantly more challenging. She would struggle to access information, navigate her surroundings, and participate fully in society. Reading books and other written materials would be nearly impossible, making it challenging to stay informed and educated. She would need to rely on others to use common machines, read signs and menus for her, making her feel dependent on others for her most basic needs. Without tactile graphics, she would not be able to experience the visual world, and it would be difficult to understand concepts such as maps or charts. In essence, Sarah’s independence, freedom, and access to information would be severely limited without these critical tools.

Interesting Points:

• Nearly 8% of all Americans have a visual impairment significant enough to need assistance. (source: Georgetown University)
• 70% of blind and visually impaired people are unemployed – yet they COULD be employed. (source: World Services for the blind)
• The economic cost of major vision problems is estimated to increase to $373 billion by 2050. (source: The CDC)

If you’re curious about what role braille and tactile graphics play, do a little experiment yourself. Pay close attention to your surroundings today and think what it would be like to be blind or a visually impaired person. How many seemingly small things you take for granted would be an issue where you’d need somebody else help? Notice how many simple things in life are not labeled with braille for the blind to use. Now think about your school, classroom, business or even public spaces – how could you help change these places for the better to make them more accessible to the blind and VI community?  Simple, kind actions through you can make a world of difference to blind and visually impaired people seeking independent and productive living.

Braille Labels: Making the World More Accessible

For people who are blind, learning to read braille is an essential life skill.  Learning to read braille allows for a better education, employment, quality of life, and is extremely important for indepence, health and safety.  Having braille signage on certain areas such as elevators or bathrooms is required by law, but there are many places where having easy to apply braille labels can help make life easier for those who depend on them. Let’s explore common uses for braille labels, according to our customers, in the home, office, and retail settings.

Home Uses For Braille Labels

1. Doors – label doors throughout your home so that anyone using a cane or white cane can find their way without assistance. This includes both interior and exterior doors.
2. Cabinets/drawers – place a label on each cabinet and drawer in your kitchen so that you can easily find what you need without having to search.
3. Appliances – make sure all of your appliances have labels so that you don’t accidentally turn the wrong knob or push the wrong button.
4. Light switches – placing a label over each light switch will help to quickly determine which switch controls which light in your home without assistance.
5. Thermostat – placing a braille label next to your thermostat will ensure that anyone living in the house can easily adjust the temperature as needed.
6. Refrigerator/freezer/pantry – add labels on, or near items so that everyone knows where things are located and what they are. 
7. Bedroom closets – place labels on, or near clothing items to help find where things are located, or what colors they are.
8. Garbage/recycling bins – add labels near garbage cans and recycling bins so that everyone knows which bin is which.
9. Prescriptions – placing braille labels on prescriptions ensures proper medicine being taken, as well as dosage.

Office Uses For Braille Labels

1. Offices & conference rooms – place braille labels on office doors and meeting spaces.
2. Desks & chairs – label desks and chairs throughout the office space with employee names so that everyone knows who sits where when it comes time for meetings.
3. File cabinets – label file cabinets with information so that employees can easily find what they need when accessing files.
4. Printer/copier/fax machines – place braille labels next to all printers/copiers/fax machines to help determine which to use, and on the buttons located on each. 
5. Elevators & stairwells – place labels on elevators indicating floor numbers (i.e., 1st floor), stairwells indicating direction, etc.  You may find that this braille signage must follow strict specifications required by law.
6. Restrooms – include signs next to restroom stalls indicating gender.
7. Supply room – place braille labels inside supply rooms indicating supplies available (i.e., pens, paperclips etc.).
8. Emergency exits – these are required by law in most countries. 

Retail Business Uses For Braille Labels

1. Shelving- label shelves throughout store displaying products being sold.
2. Clothing racks – include braille labels over clothing racks labeling sizes, styles and colors available.
3. Cash registers – place braille labels at the entry of the queue, then place labels next to cash registers or on self-checkout kiosks.
4. Price tags – adhere braille labels onto products being sold clearly listing prices.
5. Sizing tags – adhere labels onto size tags to help determine sizing of garments.

It’s clear why braille labels are important—they provide invaluable guidance for those who are blind, by helping them navigate their environment safely and independently.  Start thinking through how you can create an easy navigable space using braille today!

10 Surprising Uses for Braille Labels in Everyday Life

Braille is a tactile writing system used by people who are blind or have low vision. By using raised dots it provides a means of communication and navigation for those who cannot read traditional print materials. Although you will find heavy duty, plastic braille signs in public places on areas like elevators, bathrooms, and doors, there are many important areas that need labeling where a fixed sign will not do. This is where a printable and stickable braille label comes into play. If you think about how you may navigate your day being low vision or blind, you would find hundreds of other uses for braille labels from the home to, school, to the office to a retail businesses. Here are the top 10 uses for braille labels for around the home, but can easily be applied to any space.

1. Door Identification – Place braille labels on each door so that those with low vision or blindness can easily identify which room is which. This is especially helpful in homes where children may move rooms or families may adopt a pet.
2. Appliance Control Panel – For appliances with digital control panels, use braille stickers to label each button and knob so that people can easily find what they need without assistance. This includes ovens, microwaves, washing machines and dryers, etc.
3. Medicine Cabinet – Place braille labels on all medicine bottles and containers so that those with impaired vision know exactly what they are taking when reaching into the cabinet or drawer.
4. Kitchen Pantry – Use braille labels on all food items to ensure everyone in the family knows what’s inside each container without having to ask someone else for help or rely solely on memory.
5. Refrigerator Shelves – Label shelves inside refrigerator doors with braille stickers so that users can quickly find what they need without having to fumble around blindly (pun intended).
6. Spice Rack Labeling – Label spice bottles with braille stickers so everyone in the family can quickly identify which spices they need while cooking dinner without asking someone else for help or relying solely on their sense of smell!
7. Bathroom Sink & Shower Labeling – Place braille stickers on all bathroom faucets to make identifying hot and cold water easy for those with impaired vision or blindness as well as small children who may not recognize the difference between temperatures yet!
8. Toilet Paper Holder Identification – Use a braille sticker label on toilet paper holders so users don’t have to guess which roll is full or empty every time they need one!
9. Cabinet Labels – Place braille stickers near cabinets containing hazardous materials such as cleaners and detergents so no one accidentally grabs something dangerous while looking for something else!
10. Emergency Exit Signs -Place emergency exit signs throughout your home (especially if you have stairs) using high contrast colors combined with tactile elements like braille printing so people with impaired vision will be able to find their way out in an emergency situation!

Whether you’re at home, at work, or at play, using braille labeling can help create a more accessible environment for everyone involved! Tactile identifiers like braille give those who are living with visual impairments more independence and control over their environment without having to rely solely on sighted assistance from others—allowing them to navigate their day-to-day lives much more confidently and safely than ever before! On top of that, investing in quality braille labeling helps create a safer space overall by providing clear direction during emergency situations—making it an invaluable tool both now and in the future! So why wait? Start exploring how you can use braille labeling in your home, class or business today!

High Quality Braille Paper is Essential to the Blind Community

Braille paper is a special type of paper used for embossing braille and tactile graphics.  The embossing process requires high quality braille paper that can withstand multiple uses, while being thick/strong enough to allow for perfectly shaped, high and durable braille dots. Unfortunately, there are times when low quality braille paper is produced which leads to a poor reading experience. Why is this the case? Let’s take a look.

Why Low Quality Paper Is Produced And Sold
The truth of the matter is that low quality braille paper has been around forever, and it continues to be produced for various reasons. And many times it’s not necessarily low quality paper, it’s just the wrong paper for braille embossing.  The main reason why low quality, or the wrong paper, is due to cost-cutting measures from publishers and other entities who produce books in braille format. As an example, many publishers use an 80lb paper to produce braille, which is too thin.  Yes, it’s slightly less expensive, but it results in poor embossing quality as braille dots break through the paper when being formed and these weak braille dots are easily depressed when touched.  Many retailers also sell 80lb braille paper as their standard heavy weight braille paper, but not American Thermoform.  Our standard is 100lb and that’s why it’s preferred by braille readers and those that produce high quality braille reading materials – we make it specifically for braille embossing and it’s not an off-the-shelf product.  

Why Quality Matters for Braille Readers
It goes without saying that high-quality materials are essential for producing high quality braille books and reading materials.  Since braille readers use their fingers to determine what letters and words the braille dots make up, if one is misplaced or is flat, they can easily lose their place or misinterpret what is being said. This is a frustrating experience and equivalent to a sighted person trying to read a book where the ink has run low and the text is missing or hardly visible in some places. Imagine trying to read an entire book with this poor quality!  Braille readers depend on these educational documents in order to learn effectively; they should not be subjected to poor reading experiences simply because their books were printed on low quality material.

How Do We Ensure Braille Producers Use High Quality Braille Paper? Awareness!
Many people don’t realize that low quality braille paper can cause so many readability issues.  Using the wrong paper for braille embossing, or trying to save a little bit of money can lead to a poor braile reading experience. High quality braille paper helps ensure a high quality reading experience and is essential for providing blind students with a positive learning experience.