This page provides guidance regarding issues that organisations should consider in order to best support the adoption and sustainability of 3D printing as an accessible format for people with print disabilities.
Quick links: Cost and equipment; Staff training and support; Access to 3D model files; Design and production of 3D printed models; Storage and distribution; Return to the 3D printing guidelines overview.
Cost and equipment
While the cost of purchasing 3D printing equipment and software may initially seem like a barrier to the adoption of 3D printing, studies have shown that the use of 3D printing actually saves costs compared with the purchase of specialised tactile materials and adaptive equipment1,,2. Good quality FDM 3D printers can be purchased for as little as AUD$1,000 and most 3D modelling software is free with an educational licence.
Refer to Selecting a 3D printer for advice on choosing a suitable printer.
Staff training and support
Staff skills and mindset are perhaps the most important factor for the successful adoption of new technologies like 3D printing.
The 3D printing process requires a moderate level of technical skills and willingness to problem solve and tinker with machinery. Staff must therefore be provided with introductory training followed up with adequate time to build up their skills and confidence through hands-on practice and trial-and-error. If complex 3D models are to be designed, dedicated staff with prior 3D modelling experience may need to be employed for this task.
It is helpful for teachers, O&M professionals and others to be provided with examples of popular and effective 3D printed models so that they understand the potential value of 3D printed models and will start to think about what models would help them in their work. Ideally, sample models should be explicitly connected with learning goals and perhaps even accompanied by lesson plans on how to use them with learners with print disabilities.
Access to 3D model files
3D models that are suitable for use by people with print disabilities are currently scattered across multiple online sites (Refer to Where to find 3D printing designs) and vision specialist staff have reported that searching for models can be frustrating. It is helpful to compile an internal catalogue of 3D models that are recommended or held as loan items within an organisation. This catalogue could be as simple as a Thingiverse collection or an Excel spreadsheet but ideally it would be part of an integrated request system and models would be tagged with labels for recommended uses. For example, a teacher should be able to easily find 3D models relevant for a grade 6 student learning mathematics.
To assist the print accessibility community as a whole, it is important to share any newly created models online, offering free open source access. Tactiles.eu and the BTactile metalibrary are recommended places to share 3D models designed specifically for accessibility.
Design and production of 3D printed models
Depending on an organisation’s structure, production of 3D models can either be centralised or distributed. A centralised system takes advantage of specialised staff roles but requires efficient methods for transporting 3D models between locations. In a distributed system with 3D printers across multiple sites, it is best to provide the same equipment and set-up at all sites so that pre-sliced files can be shared for plug-and-play 3D printing. A technology team that can provide user training and printer repairs is also valuable for supporting distributed systems.
Storage and distribution
Consider whether 3D models will be printed on demand or loaned and returned to a centralised location for storage and redistribution. A loan system will require storage space, a system for locating existing prints, and cleaning and repair of returned models.
If a model is damaged when it is returned, consider whether it can be repaired, reprinted, or needs a redesign for greater strength before reprinting (Refer to our guidelines on designing for strength).
Return to: 3D Printing overview; Next Section (When to Use 3D Printing)
Last updated: September 3, 2024 at 22:02 pm