KWSP is part of a collaborative consortium, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 initiative, developing a desktop digital printer for Braille.
The Challenge
- A bespoke system integrating a new print-head technology for an unproven consumer application.
- The project required cross border collaboration across the EU.
- The design required complex system integration including mechanical, electrical and controls & automation.
- The nature of the product provided significant miniaturisation & packaging challenges.
The Requirements
- Aesthetics: The system needs to be something that users would want in their homes.
- Reliability: As a consumer product without a readily available support team, the system needs to be reliable.
- Usability: The user controls and interface needs to be simple and intuitive.
The Approach
- Mechanical machine design and controls & automation systems were developed by KWSP.
- This was done whilst liaising with the print-head developer in Hungary.
- Additive manufacturing (‘3D Printing’) was used to conduct rapid prototyping of components as well as for the end-use parts within the prototype.
The Results
- Design, development and delivery of a fully functional prototype within 6 months.