Project Number: MQP-CAB-1112 Analysis of the Braille Writer using Axiomatic Design A Major Qualifying Project Report Submitted to the Faculty of WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering by ___________________________________________ Ashley M. Jenkins Date: August 28, 2012 Approved: __________________________________ Professor Christopher A. Brown, Advisor Abstract The Perkins School for the Blind promotes the advancement of reading and writing tools for the blind and visually impaired. The Standard Perkins Brailler has been the leading mechanical brailler since it was released to market in 1951. This project focused on analyzing the design of the brailler using the axiomatic design process and introducing a new method for typing braille through the use of pneumatics. This was done by first researching the history of the brailler. The next step was evaluating the design approaches taken by Perkins for their brailler and then using the axiomatic design process to analyze the design of the brailler. Lastly, the use of pneumatics in braille typing was introduced as a new design approach. i Acknowledgements I’d like to thank Professor Christopher A. Brown for his guidance and support through the entirety of this project. His persistence to believe in my ability to work on this project was encouraging and inspiring. He was able to motivate me when I came across challenges that were difficult to overcome and for this I am thankful. ii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... ii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ iv 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Objective .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Rationale........................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 State of the Art ................................................................................................................. 2 1.3.1 Perkins....................................................................................................................... 2 1.3.2 Quantum Technologies ............................................................................................. 6 1.3.3 Electronic Brailler LLC ............................................................................................ 8 1.3.4 Development Technology Workshop ....................................................................... 9 1.4 Approach ........................................................................................................................ 10 1.5 Methods .......................................................................................................................... 10 2. Research ................................................................................................................................. 10 2.1 History of Braille and Braille Writing Methods............................................................. 10 2.2 Approach to Design and Redesign of Perkins Mechanical Braillers ............................. 13 2.3 Compare Design of Brailler with Axiomatic Design Process ........................................ 14 2.3.1 Axiomatic Design ................................................................................................... 14 2.4 Introduce Use of Pneumatics.......................................................................................... 16 3. Results ................................................................................................................................... 17 3.1 Design Analysis of Perkins Mechanical Braillers .......................................................... 17 3.1.1 Design Decomposition of Standard Perkins Brailler .............................................. 17 3.1.2 Critical Design Analysis of the Next Generation Brailler ...................................... 26 3.2 Introduction of the Use of Pneumatics in a Mechanical Brailler ................................... 28 4. Conclusion & Discussion ...................................................................................................... 30 References ..................................................................................................................................... 31 Appendices .................................................................................................................................... 34 Appendix A: Labeled Image of the Standard Perkins Brailler.................................................. 34 Appendix B: List of Pneumatic Component Distributors and Manufacturers .......................... 35 iii List of Figures Figure 1: Standard Perkins Brailler (Perkins Products 2012) ....................................................................... 3 Figure 2: The Next Generation Perkins Brailler (Perkins School for the Blind 2012) ................................. 4 Figure 3: Perkins Electric Brailler (Perkins Products 2012) ......................................................................... 5 Figure 4: The Perkins SMART Brailler (Perkins Products 2012) ................................................................ 6 Figure 5: Jot-a-Dot (Quantum Reading Learning Vision 2011) ................................................................... 6 Figure 6: Tatrapoint Brailler (Quantum Reading Learning Vision 2011) .................................................... 7 Figure 7: Mountbatten Brailler (F. M. D’Andrea 2005) ............................................................................... 8 Figure 8: Cosmo Braille Writer (Electronic Brailler LLC 2012) .................................................................. 9 Figure 9: PrinSon Brailler (H. Pearson, B. Crenn 2003) .............................................................................. 9 Figure 10: Numbered Braille Cell (Tiresias 2009) ..................................................................................... 11 Figure 11: Standard Spacing Dimensions (Tiresias 2009) .......................................................................... 12 Figure 12: Slate and Stylus (Paths to Literacy 2012) .................................................................................. 12 Figure 13: Top Level Decomposition ......................................................................................................... 18 Figure 14: Standard Perkins Brailler (Perkins Products 2012) ................................................................... 18 Figure 15: Design Matrix ............................................................................................................................ 19 Figure 16: Decomposition of FR1 .............................................................................................................. 20 Figure 17: Character Keys .......................................................................................................................... 21 Figure 18: Embossing Mechanism and Cam Rods ..................................................................................... 21 Figure 19: Decomposition of FR1.1.5 ........................................................................................................ 22 Figure 20: Rack Gear and Roller ................................................................................................................ 22 Figure 21: Rod, Beam and Carriage Head .................................................................................................. 23 Figure 22: Decomposition of FR2 .............................................................................................................. 23 Figure 23: Unfixed Pawl, Rack Gear, Fixed Pawl ...................................................................................... 24 Figure 24: Decomposition of FR3 .............................................................................................................. 25 Figure 25: Line Spacing Key and Paper Feed Knob ................................................................................... 26 Figure 26: The Next Generation Perkins Brailler (Perkins School for the Blind 2012) ............................. 27 Figure 27: Old and New Design of Six Pins (D. S. Morgan et al 2009) ..................................................... 28 Figure 28: Standard Perkins Brailler (S. M. Rothstein 2012) ..................................................................... 34 iv 1. Introduction This section details the main objective, rationale, state of the art, approach and methods used to complete the project “Analysis of the Braille Writer using Axiomatic Design.” 1.1 Objective The objective of this project is to analyze the design of a braille writer using the axiomatic design process and to introduce a new method for typing braille through the use of pneumatics. 1.2 Rationale The Perkins School for the Blind promotes the advancement of reading and writing