Design and Implementation of a Low-Cost Printer Head for Embossing Braille Dots on Paper

Abstract

This paper presents the design, implementation, and prototype of a low-cost Braille embossing mechanism. The proposal is a printer head integrating three hammers that, upon actuation, stamp readable dots on the paper. Inspired in the rotary cam-follower mechanism, the hammers are actuated by a single servomotor which rotation determines which hammer strikes the paper. Braille characters can be quickly embossed using the proposed printer head. Affordable and efficient Braille embossers for home use can be envisaged using this new action approach.