3D printing is of course not the only method for creating 3D models. You may wish to consider other options, depending on the desired model features, your access to equipment and how the model will be used.

Method	Specialist Equipment	Materials	Other Considerations
Hand Crafting	–	Various	For one-off models that have good material properties. Can be created by people who are blind or have low vision.
Ceramics	Kiln	Clay, Glaze	Can be created by people who are blind or have low vision.
Laser Cutting	Laser cutter	Cardboard, wood or acrylic	Creates flat layers that can then be constructed or stacked. Also able to etch for a textured surface.
CNC Milling	Milling machine	Polystyrene or wood	Subtractive process with high accuracy. Best for relatively flat shapes with a large base.
Moulding and Casting	–	Silicone, plaster, resin, expanding foam, clay or other	Good for creating multiple copies of fully 3D models.
Thermoforming	Thermoform machine	Plastic sheets	Quick and cheap way of making multiple copies, but only suitable for shapes with a broader base and no overhangs.

Hand Crafting

Hand crafting is a good option for creating one-off models with good material and textural properties, and they can be created by people who are blind or have low vision.
Suggested materials include foil or polystyrene and wire for internal structure, covered with plasticine, air-drying or oven bake clay, paper mache, fabric, and/or a wide array of craft materials.

A dancing woman made quickly with modelling clay.

Small 3D fridge made with scrap supplies to illustrate
“The Bear’s Toothache” by David McPhail.
Image courtesy of Feelix Library.

If making a model using sewing, knit or crochet, we suggest stuffing it very firmly so that it retains its shape under pressure from touch.

Firmly stuffed crochet sausage dog to accompany
“Schnitzel Von Krumm” by Lynley Dodd.

Further resources:

• Aishwarya Pillai, a blind artist, describes her techniques for creating tactile paintings with 3D features at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NKs8lfTMJ0

Ceramics

Ceramics uses clay as the starting material and requires a kiln and glaze to produce a smooth durable product. It may be practical in schools where there is a kiln and a knowledegable teacher. Models can easily be created by people who are blind or have low vision. Slip clay is also an option for creating cast copies with moulds.

Unfired (left) and glazed (right) ceramic models depicting the lunar surface
created by students with vision impairments at Statewide Vision Resource Centre

Laser Cutting

CO₂ laser cutters use a computer image to cut or etch into sheets or boards of cardboard, fabric, wood, acrylic or other non-metal materials. They can be used to create 3D models in three different ways:

1. Cutting a flat sheet, perhaps with some etching for tactile textures or braille, to serve as a base for models made using another method. This method uses simple image files.
2. Constructing forms from flat sheets. For example, you may create boxes to serve as a base holding electronics and audio components, or to create 3D buildings. Free software such as MakerCase is available to customise your own boxes with interlocking edges.

Laser cut box as a base for 3D printed buildings,
with etching to indicate roads and a box to house electronic components.
Image courtesy of SensiLab, Monash University.

3. Cutting multiple layers that will then be stacked, glued and perhaps sanded. This method uses the same 3D model files as 3D prints. It is well suited for creating topographic maps with layers.

Laser cut topography of Wilpena Pound.
Image courtesy of ChildsPly Vision.

CNC Milling

CNC Milling is a process beginning with a 3D model file and a block of raw material called stock (such as foam, wood, metal, plastics or resin) that is milled to remove any unwanted material. While it is a faster process than 3D printing, CNC milling requires monitoring and manual intervention. It begins with a large milling bit to remove the majority of the stock material, followed by smaller and finer bits until the desired level of detail or smoothness is achieved. The first time that a file is milled, it needs to be watched closely in case of errors, and in general the machine should not be left unsupervised for long periods of time. After completion, a lot of clean up is required for the removed materials. For touch readers, milled pieces will also require smoothing with sandpaper and perhaps application of a top coat. The finished model will feel superior to 3D printed models, with less distractions caused by the production process. It also allows for a bigger size and a wider range of materials. If using wood, note that MDF is very cheap but cannot be sanitised easily, whereas hardwood is more expensive but easier to clean.

As it is a subtractive process, milling is best suited to relatively flat shapes with a large base, such as maps and landforms. Less advanced machines cannot produce overhanging parts.

CNC milling with wood
Image courtesy of NextSense.

Moulding and Casting

Moulding is helpful when you want to create a large number of the same 3D model. You need to begin with a master model, which could be a real object or made using 3D printing or any of the above methods listed here. Models with a flat base are easiest for creating a mould, which can be used to cast multiple copies. Some clean-up of the copies is usually required.

A range of different materials can be used for moulding and casting. The golden rule is never like-with-like, i.e. the mould and cast must be made from different materials. Common options for the mould include silicone (easiest to work with but most expensive); silicone with plaster bandage supports; latex (cheaper than silicone but harder to work with); or two-part plaster moulds. The cast can be made using anything that easily transforms from a liquid to a solid, such as urethane plastic, resin (very durable but best for small models), plaster, expanding foam, slip clay, wax or melted candles, soap, etc.

3D printed brain, silicone mould and resin copy

Thermoforming

Thermoforming, also known as vacuum forming, is a fast process of moulding a plastic sheet over a raised shape using a combination of heat and vacuum. The original shape could be made using any of the above methods, then quickly and cheaply reproduced using thermoforming. Accessible formats producers will be familiar with American Thermoform Corporation machines designed specifically for braille-size pages. Many other thermoform machines are also available, ranging from industrial packaging machines to home office and DIY contraptions that connect to a domestic vacuum cleaner.

Thermoforming is only suitable for objects without overhanging features or tall vertical walls.

Thermoform copy of a laser cut model of Uluru.
Image courtesy of ChildsPly Vision.

Last updated: April 27, 2022 at 12:14 pm