"Do touch!" - 3D Scanning and Printing Technologies for the Haptic Representation of Cultural Assets: A Study with Blind Target Users

Visiting museums can be challenging for visually impaired people, as many objects are hidden behind glass walls and information is limited to descriptions. One of the best ways to increase accessibility and inclusion in museums and other cultural heritage institutions is through the use of 3D-printed replicas. However, there are several different scanning and printing processes that not only differ in terms of effort and cost but can also produce very different results. This paper evaluates two different scanning techniques and four different printing processes in terms of these aspects and includes feedback from a group of blind and partially sighted users on the aesthetic quality and fidelity of the printed objects. We found differences between the scanning methods mainly regarding their ease of use. Of the printing methods tested, stereolithography was preferred by the majority of participants for use in the museum. Additionally, we include user comments which touch on the general aspects of presenting museum artefacts using haptic devices. Our study thus provides valuable insights into the preferences of the target users, which can be used to inform decisions about more inclusive museum experiences.