A 350 DOLLARS MACHINE PRINTS BOOKS BLIND KIDS CAN READ — THE SHOP VERSION COSTS 2,500 DOLLARS
A 350 dollars machine that punches raised dots into paper so a blind child can read the page — the shop version costs seven times that.
Open-hardwareAutomation
- difficulty
- ●●●●○
- time
- a weekend-plus
- license
- CERN-OHL-P-2.0
- repo
- repo ACTIVE43 stars
●●●●○ · a weekend-plus · CERN-OHL-P-2.0 · 43 stars · repo ACTIVE
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- 3D printer + filament — printable parts — files are in the repo
- Electronic parts — full list with part numbers in the repo BOM
- Dev board / microcontroller — runs the project firmware
Partner
COMPAREE VERDICT
BrailleRAP is a tactile embosser built entirely from standard 3D printer parts: NEMA steppers, smooth rods, bearings, a control board and a solenoid punch that presses dots into ordinary 160gsm paper. The cheapest commercial embosser costs about 2,500 dollars, which is why most schools in lower-income countries have none — this one comes to roughly 350 dollars in parts, and the plans are open. The French volunteer team behind it published everything: CAD files, a detailed bill of materials, assembly photos and custom software that converts an SVG graphic plus text into a tactile page. The licence is CERN-OHL-P v2, so you can build it, sell it or modify it without asking anyone. The single hardest part is not the assembly — if you have built a 3D printer, the mechanical side is familiar — it is tuning the punch depth and paper feed so the dots are clear but the paper does not tear. Commercial embossers are ISO certified and come with support; this is a workshop project that requires patience and iteration. If you need a machine tomorrow, buy one. If you want to understand how it works and you have a weekend, build this.
IN THE REPO
NOT IN THE REPO
- —Full assembly guide, bill of materials and STL files are in the repository.
- —Custom software converts SVG maps plus text into embossed pages and is included.
- —Licensed under CERN-OHL-P v2 (hardware) and OSHWA certified — no commercial restrictions.
- —Documentation at braillerap.readthedocs.io is comprehensive but assumes 3D printer assembly experience.
- —No pre-made kits — you source every part yourself from standard suppliers.
- —The $350 figure is a parts estimate; shipping and local availability will vary.
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Partner · KickstarterHeyGears G1: 10M+ colors and transparent parts in one print, plus UV printing on flat objects. Figures, parts and labels — no painting.
Videos
Assembly walkthrough video available at the linked URL.
Gallery
Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Read the full documentation at braillerap.readthedocs.io before ordering parts — the BOM is detailed but assumes you know where to source 3D printer components.
- 2.Clone the repository and print the frame parts while you wait for the hardware to arrive.
- 3.Assemble the frame, smooth rods and stepper mounts exactly as you would a CoreXY 3D printer — the mechanics are nearly identical.
- 4.Flash the Arduino firmware, install the Python embossing software and test with a single dot before running a full page.
Resources
Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.
- Full documentation and assembly guide braillerap.readthedocs.io
- Assembly walkthrough video youtube.com
- Build video youtube.com
- Build video youtube.com
- Project site braillerap.org
KNOWN ISSUES
- The $350 figure is a parts estimate from the team — shipping costs and local supplier availability (especially for the solenoid and control board) will shift the total, sometimes significantly.
- Tuning the punch depth is the single thing most likely to go wrong: too shallow and the dots are flat, too deep and the paper tears. Budget an afternoon for iteration.
- The software requires Python and several libraries — the install instructions are clear, but if you have never set up a Python environment, expect an hour of troubleshooting.
- No pre-made kits exist — you source every part yourself, and substituting a different control board or stepper will require firmware changes.
- Paper quality matters: 160gsm card is recommended, ordinary printer paper is too thin and will puncture.
- This is not a certified medical or educational device — if you need ISO compliance or warranty support, buy a commercial embosser.
Can I use a different control board instead of RAMPS?
Yes, but you will need to adapt the firmware pin mappings yourself — the repository assumes RAMPS 1.4 or a compatible shield.
How long does it take to emboss one page?
About two to three minutes for a standard A4 page with mixed text and a simple graphic, depending on dot density.
Does it work with ordinary printer paper?
No — 160gsm card is recommended. Thinner paper will tear under the punch.
Is the software Windows-only?
No — it is Python-based and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Install instructions are in the docs.
Can I sell machines I build from these plans?
Yes — the CERN-OHL-P v2 licence permits commercial use. If you modify the design, you must publish those changes under the same licence.
Community builds
No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.
Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
The team estimates $350 in parts versus $2,500 for the cheapest commercial embosser — but tuning the punch depth so the dots are clear without tearing the paper is the part that will eat your Saturday. What would you try first to get that right?
BrailleRAP team
BrailleRAP was built by a French volunteer team to address the fact that most schools in lower-income countries cannot afford commercial Braille embossers, which start at about $2,500. The project is OSHWA certified and licensed under CERN-OHL-P v2.
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DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
- Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
CompareeTEAM22d ago
Practical notes from our verification: the repository is active under the braillerap organization, the documentation at braillerap.readthedocs.io is thorough and the assembly videos are community-made but well-referenced in the docs. The $350 figure is a parts estimate from the team and does not include shipping — depending on where you source the solenoid and control board, the total can shift by $50 to $100. The single biggest time-sink is not the mechanical assembly (if you have built a 3D printer, this is familiar ground) — it is the afternoon you will spend tuning the punch depth and paper feed until the dots are crisp and the paper does not tear. No kits exist; you source every part yourself.