A Tactile Image Maker

A simple and Fast way to prepare Tactile Graphics.

Piaf is a machine that makes raised line drawings on special paper, called capsule or swell paper. Users can draw, print or photocopy pictures onto the swell paper and pass it through the Piaf. The heat of the Piaf causes the lines to swell and then the drawing can be read with the fingers. It is ideal for people who are blind and vision impaired. Piaf is being used in a variety of educational, employment and personal settings.

Education

In early education Piaf can be used to

• Introduce simple shapes and basic concepts;
• Learn to draw and taking the first tentative steps to expressing oneself graphically;
• Learn about handwriting and signature writing.

In secondary and tertiary education Piaf can be used to access graphical information in nearly all subject areas especially Maths and Science.

Piaf produces high quality localised area maps for orientation and mobility training and for campus or building maps for new students.

Employment

With Piaf, blind and vision impaired people can understand the information on a computer screen, grasp organisational structure of the business and access sales charts. One or two tactile diagrams can save thousands of words.

Home

Piaf can be used to make a chess board accessible, accessing pictures to know the difference between a giraffe and a leopard, and exploring world maps to identify where countries are located.

Safety features

Paper sensing

The Piaf actually senses when capsule paper enters the machine, and when it exits. If the paper does not appear at the exit side within 6 seconds, the power to the heating element is turned off but the cooling fan left on.

Overheating protection

The Piaf contains a temperature sensing circuit. If for any reason the unit becomes too hot, then shut-down occurs automatically! This is a back up to the paper sensing to ensure fail-safe operation.

Features

• Handles paper sizes up to A3 size (11” x 17”).

• Only 10 seconds to process a single sheet of A4 size (8.5” x 11”) .

• Audio indication. A beep lets you know when to insert the next page.

• A simple flip-down design enables easy paper removal and safety inspection.

• Energy efficient and quiet, acceptable in any environment: library, office or classroom.

• Portable with a strong, easy-grip handle and fold down feed trays, useful for itinerant teachers.

• Both 110V and 220-240V versions are available.

• Size without trays: H 190mm x W 43mm x D 147mm (7.5" x 1.7" x 5.8")

• Size with trays: H 190mm x W 500mm x D 147mm (7.5" x 19.7" x 5.8")

• Weight: 5.9 kilos (13lbs)