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Looking into purchasing photopolymer equipment to produce photopolymer ADA signs. We have looked into equipment, etc. from Nova and it seems reasonably priced. Would appreciate any input or suggestions from those who are familiar with this type of equipment. Thanks.
I have heard the same thing on occassion and have always wondered as well. Photopolymer is very popular these days. Some of the braille dots I have seen on photopolymer signs seem to be "domed" more so than others (meaning it varies from each manufacturer). We also manufacture the raster braille signs and you can see a slight variance between the raster beads and the "good" quality photopolymer braille.
As I replied above to a similar question, you can
make compliant dots with photopolymer, although
it takes care and effort. I prefer rasters for that
reason. Raster Braille comes rounded -- so no sweat!
But anyone who tells you that there is no way to make
compliant photopolymer signs is selling you a bill of
goods.
Sharon Toji
Yes, we are also being told the dots "should" be domed. Or, rather, that the "preference" is for domed vs flat. However, many Inspectors are telling us they do not pass/fail a sign because of this. They are more concerned about the color contrast issues for weak-sighted individuals than they are the shape of the dots.
If you decide to go with photopolymer, I suggest you use Nova Photopolymer products. We have had excellent results with them. JetUSA products became a huge nightmare for us (dissolving in water, causing paint to flake off, etc.).
Another option -- have an outside firm such as Tactile Graphics produce ADA using acrylic, molds, pressure, etc. Your industry costs are comparable to photopolymer -- without the investment in equipment.
Guy
In my opinion, braille is, by its nature, rounded and not flat. Therefore, I don't consider "flat" dots to be real braille. I agree that contrast is a more important issue, because many more people are visual readers, although legally blind, than tactile readers, but I still see no purpose in making unreadable braille signs. The "new" ADA/ABA 2004, which is now required by almost every federal agency, and has been an ANSI standard since 1998, and is also required in California, requires domed or rounded braille. As soon as the Obama administration vets it, I expect it to become law through the DOJ as well for all Title 3 projects. I would suggest learning how to make rounded braille, whatever fabrication method you prefer.
Sharon Toji
We manufacture polymer signage using the equipment and materials from Nova. If you follow Nova instructions for processing and finishing you can achieve a great product. The braille does come out domed in the finish product. This is achieved by the paint and clear coats that are applied. We do have wholesale pricing available if you are interested.
Owen @ Acorn Sign Graphics
As the former commenter said, you can make compliant domed or rounded braille by almost any method, if you follow the directions, use the correct art for the dots, and exercise some care. The most difficult is by sandblasting, and many people use rasters for those signs. I was one of the people who helped write the new code, and it was never our intention to eliminate any particular method of making signs, but only to add a performance criterion so that signs would be readable and not "snag" the fingers of readers.
Of course the easiest way is to use rasters, because the shape is built in. However, you can do it other ways -- just not the same "perfect" rounded dot.
By the way, we now hear that the new ADA/ABA will be announced any day -- by August at the latest, if not during July. I am working hard on the revision of my manual, so keep in touch!
Sharon Toji
htoji@cox.net
949 929-6512
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A salesman from a raster-Braille equipment company mentioned to me that he did not think that the Photopolymer process signs will meet the proposed ADAAG requirements for domed Braille.
Can anyone confirm that?