Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R94480/01
Title:	An integrated user-centred design and manufacturing process for generating tactile maps using innovative print technology
Principal Investigator:	Sheldon, Professor D
Other Investigators:	Petrie, Professor H Ungar, Dr S
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	National Centre for Tactile Diagrams Ordnance Survey Pattering Technologies Ltd R N I B Enterprises Ltd Royal London Society for the Blind
Department:	Enterprise & Innovation Office
Organisation:	Anglia Ruskin University
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 January 2003	Ends:	31 March 2006	Value (£):	587,704
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Design Processes
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Creative Industries
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Innovative interdisciplinary research will advance the manufacture of tactile maps for blind and partially sighted people by investigations on inkjet technology that can print raised relief images on a range of substrates, in conjunction with research on design criteria for tactile map symbols. Manufacturing research will focus on achieving optimised tactile images, through understanding of drop on demand 3D feature building behaviour, related to high speed printing and cross-sectional control, whilst achieving the minimum volume of ink in the symbols. On the basis of current ink jet printing process research as well as relevant psychological and cartographic research, the cartography/psychology researchers will construct an initial broad set of tactile symbols to be rigorously tested with user groups, thereby gradually establishing a set of design principles for the optimal design of tactile map symbols and a core symbol set that optimises map readability. Complex tactile maps incorporating these symbols will then be rigorously evaluated in real life investigations. Constant interplay between manufacturing and psychology/cartography researchers will ensure that innovations in manufacturing process inform subsequent design research and vice versa. These concurrent routes will result in an integrated design methodology, whereby tactile maps can be generated from an ideal symbol set and directly printed with more accuracy and efficiency of process via an innovative inkjet printer at a collaborating company..
Key Findings
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.anglia.ac.uk