Approaches to manufacturing affordable 3D printed modules to improve the durability of white canes for visually impaired people

In this study, 3D printing-based solutions are sought to improve the durability of guide canes of visually impaired individuals. The financial inaccessibility of technological white canes is a challenge that this study addresses by integrating additive manufacturing. The proposed solutions are designing a ball caster tip with a suspension mechanism, manufacturing a barrier detection and vibration alert system, and a 3D-printed flexible cover for the guide cane. Each solution is specially prototyped for this study using Computer-Aid Design (CAD). It aims to produce accessories that can upgrade any regular cane to a more durable and comfortable state by easily clipping them onto any cane. The solutions were assessed under three criteria, for which the visually impaired consultee of the research was assigned weights for further evaluation. The assessment has been conducted based on each solution’s effectiveness, cost, and comfort. According to the evaluation of the visually impaired consultee, the ball caster with suspension mechanism yielded the highest score for the assessment criteria. Further recommendations have been made for each solution to decrease the volume occupancy and increase lifespan, durability, and comfort. Modular Computer-Aid Designing (CAD) of white cane accessories Novel ball caster module with a suspension mechanism Sensitive barrier detection with ultrasonic sensors and alerting with vibration 3D printing flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) cover for cane segment本研究旨在探索基于3D打印的解决方案，以提升视障人士使用的导盲杖的耐用性。当前技术型智能盲杖存在购置成本高昂、财务可及性不足的痛点，本研究通过融合增材制造（additive manufacturing）技术来破解这一难题。本研究提出的三项方案分别为：设计带悬挂机构的滚珠脚轮杖头、研发障碍检测与振动警报系统，以及为导盲杖杖身开发3D打印柔性护套。每项方案均通过计算机辅助设计（Computer-Aided Design，CAD）完成专属原型制作。本研究旨在开发可适配任意普通导盲杖的配套配件，用户仅需通过简单卡扣即可将普通导盲杖升级为更耐用、使用更舒适的智能导盲杖。研究基于三项评估标准开展测试，并由本研究的视障咨询受试者为各项标准赋予权重，以完成进一步的综合评价。本次评估围绕各方案的有效性、成本与舒适度三个维度展开。经视障咨询受试者评估，带悬挂机构的滚珠脚轮方案在各项评估标准中均获得最高分。针对每项方案，研究团队还提出了优化建议，以降低其体积占用率，提升使用寿命、耐用性与使用舒适度。具体优化方向包括：导盲杖配套配件的模块化计算机辅助设计（CAD）、带悬挂机构的新型滚珠脚轮模块、基于超声波传感器的高精度障碍检测与振动警报系统，以及用于导盲杖杖身段的3D打印柔性热塑性聚氨酯（Thermoplastic Polyurethane，TPU）护套。