Braille Rap is a platform to generate G-code for printing Braille Braille Rap CNC at S.T.E.A.M. Fabrikarium is about hacking/ modifying a CNC Router to print braille on various materials (paper, plastic, metal sheets, etc) using the Braille Rap platform.
Modifying the CNC for embossing Braille characters:
We needed to fit a braille nail at the spindle head that will make impressions of the braille characters on the material below.
For the same, we chose a drilling nail as it best fitted the diameter of the CNC nozzle. We optimized the nail length, nail tip breadth and sharpness by cutting and grinding on a Bench Grinder to ensure the diameter of the braille dot is suitable to the international standards.
The needle was then attached at the bottom of the CNC spindle, ready to be used for embossing Braille characters.
Making the CNC work:
Our initial steps for the project were to understand the configurations of the existing CNC router and the ensure it’s functioning.
For the same, we connected the Arduino UNO board with the CNC shield, made all the correct wire connections to ensure synchronized working of the motors driving the router on the X, Y, and Z axes.
We then sources a suitable GRBL controller that will help us upload the Gcode and operate the CNC.
Braille Rap is a platform to generate G-code for printing Braille Braille Rap CNC at S.T.E.A.M. Fabrikarium is about hacking/ modifying a CNC Router to print braille on various materials (paper, plastic, metal sheets, etc) using the Braille Rap platform.
Modifying the CNC for embossing Braille characters:
We needed to fit a braille nail at the spindle head that will make impressions of the braille characters on the material below.
For the same, we chose a drilling nail as it best fitted the diameter of the CNC nozzle. We optimized the nail length, nail tip breadth and sharpness by cutting and grinding on a Bench Grinder to ensure the diameter of the braille dot is suitable to the international standards.
The needle was then attached at the bottom of the CNC spindle, ready to be used for embossing Braille characters.
Making the CNC work:
Our initial steps for the project were to understand the configurations of the existing CNC router and the ensure it’s functioning.
For the same, we connected the Arduino UNO board with the CNC shield, made all the correct wire connections to ensure synchronized working of the motors driving the router on the X, Y, and Z axes.
We then sources a suitable GRBL controller that will help us upload the Gcode and operate the CNC.