Overview
Picture in a Flash (PIFA) is a heat based tactile graphics maker that allows the creation of textured images suitable for blind and visually impaired people. It uses a specific type of paper, called capsule paper, which contains very small polypropylene beads on the surface. When these beads are exposed to a specific temperature they expand, causing the paper to swell. To create the image, high carbon inks and toners are printed or drawn on the capsule paper causing those areas to absorb more heat when fed through the machine.
Anne Arundel Community College has one Picture in a Flash machine located at the Disability Support Services office in the Student Union (SUN) Building, room 140A. Creation of images is overseen by Mira Wachs and the Disability Support Services staff.
Instructions
Image Preparation
You want your image to be black and white, as simple as possible and as large as possible. Try to imagine what the image would feel like if all the black areas were raised and if you would be able to differentiate areas in the picture by touch alone. In the case of graphs, you cannot rely on color, you will need to create a different texture for each section of the graph such as dotted, lines, and crosslines.
If necessary, remove all text from the image and replace it with braille code. Alternatively, you can remove text from the image and add braille to the image after it has been run through the PIFA machine via labels or Braille transfer sheets.
Printing
Once you have an image you are satisfied with, print it once on regular printer paper to make sure it looks good printed. If the image looks like it’s ready to go through the PIFA machine add the capsule paper to the printer’s multipurpose tray white side up. The multipurpose tray is typically tray 1 and located either on the top of the printer, side of the printer with a door, or front of the printer with a door.
The following settings will work for any large Kyocera MFD on campus:
- Select print in the program your image is in and click on “Printer Properties”
- Under the “Basic” tab set the following:
- Source: Multipurpose tray
- Media Type: Cardstock
- Destination: Finishing Tray
- Duplex: Off
- EcoPrint: Off
- Under the “Imaging” tab set the following:
- Print Quality: High Quality
Tactile Image Creation
The power switch for the PIAF machine is located on the right-hand side in the back near the power plug.
Where you set the temperature depends on the paper, some require more heat and some require less. At the time of writing we are currently using HARPO Tangible Magic Paper and the heat is set between the 7th and 8th lines. If you are unsure about how much heat to apply to the paper, start with the lowest setting and work your way up until the image is sufficiently raised. Applying too much heat with cause the machine to jam.
To create the tactile image, slide the capsule paper into the machine on the infeed tray image side up. Once the machine has taken the paper it will process it and when completed will make a beeping sound.
Warnings:
Do not feed another paper in until the machine has completely processed the last paper.
Do not grasp the paper while feeding into the machine, firmly push it in on the infeed tray.
If the machine detects a jam, it will shut down the heating systems but keep the fan running.
Troubleshooting
If a jam occurs and the heating element shuts down, allow the machine to run for a few minutes so the fan cools down the machine.
- Once it has cooled off disconnect the machine from power.
- Remove the output tray and twist the latching screws underneath to the left.
- Place your thumbs on the metal spring clips at each side of the opening and push in towards the machine sides until they release the transport mechanism which will drop down.
- Remove the paper and perform the instructions in reverse to reassemble.
After the machine is reassembled lower the heat on the machine before feeding it another paper to ensure that the jam was not caused by too high of heat.
Still have questions? Contact the Technical Service Desk.