Replies (1)

• @JonathanMosen@caneandable.social 2026-09-16 07:41

  @TheVoiceGuy@mastodon.au We have a Bambu 3D printer at the International Braille and Technology Center, and we use it for demonstrations, printing models where 3D is helpful for a blind person to feel. One of my staff kindly printed a 3D model of Artemis II, which was amazing. I haven't used the 3D printer very much at all, only because I have so many hours in the day and there is so much technology in the IBTC. Judy Dixon does use one and loves it. She has made all kinds of things. My understanding is that the workflow is stitched together from a patchwork of accessible tools because mainstream slicers (Bambu Studio, Ultimaker Cura, PrusaSlicer, Orca Slicer) are largely inaccessible to screen readers. The winning combination appears to be a script-based CAD tool (OpenSCAD, increasingly CadQuery), a screen reader, or command-line/OctoPrint control, and an open-frame printer (Prusa MK3S/MK4, Lulzbot) that can be monitored by touch. Nonblind assistance is not strictly required, but total independence is the exception achieved by determined expert makers. Most workflows still lean on a nonblind person (or increasingly AI like ChatGPT/Be My Eyes) for one or two visual checkpoints, verifying an STL before printing, reading an LCD/touchscreen menu, or diagnosing a subtle failed print. Blind makers can and do handle setup, filament loading, print monitoring by touch, and post-processing on their own. You might write Kennedy Zimnik at the International Braille and Technology Center. Kennedy isn't blind, but he has the best knowledge of 3D printing on the team. First initial, last name at NFB.org. Judy Dixon would also be good to get hold of, she is not on Mastodon. Also @ChanceyFleet@mas.to is doing a lot of work in this space.

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