Development of Braille-making Devices on Pharmaceutical Labels using 3D Printers

DOI: 10.14416/j.ind.tech.2023.08.001

Abstract

The research aims to develop braille-making devices for braille printing on drug labels, using fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers. This device enables pharmacists to create braille immediately in the process of dispensing medicines to the visually impaired. In this research the eight words were determined, consisting of morning, daytime, evening, before, after, bedtime, 1 and 2, a group of words applied to describe how to take the drug. After that, the braille creation device was designed using 3D CAD SolidWorks and manufactured using a 3D printer, then used the braille creation device to print on the drug label and assess the height of the braille letter. Evaluates the ability to recognize and interpret braille letters printed with a nudge device. This includes estimating the cost of the equipment that has been created. The results showed that the braille letter height on the drug paper label is 200.12 microns, and the braille height on the drug label on the plastic envelope is 296.67 microns which is satisfactory according to the ECMA Euro Braille standard from the European Carton Makers Association. The ability to read and translate braille on sticker paper is around 12.8 seconds and 14.80 seconds on a drug plastic bag. The cost of developing a braille device on a 3D printer drug label was approximately 160 baht per braille. These results implied that braille-based equipment on drug labels using a 3D printer can be used to create braille on pharmaceutical labels