English
Please read this manual before using the

Next Generation™ Perkins Brailler®
Instruction Manual

LESS FORCE.
LESS WEIGHT.
LESS NOISE.
MORE POSSIBILITIES…

Letter from the President

Welcome to the NEW Next Generation™ Perkins Brailler®! We
are thrilled to announce that, after almost 60 years of outstanding
performance which has made the Perkins Brailler the most widely
used brailler in the world, we are introducing a new, improved
version of this well-loved classic.

The Next Generation Perkins Brailler introduces a number of new
features which will make the brailler easier to use and more versatile
in a variety of environments. This redesign was not undertaken
lightly. We went through an exhaustive user-research process,
scientifically conducted with braille readers and writers all over the
world, in order to understand which attributes were most valued as
well as most desired. We have retained the features which have made
the Perkins Brailler the premiere mechanical braille writer, sold in over
170 countries, and added features which people have requested.

The Next Generation Perkins Brailler is:
• Lighter and more portable
• Quieter
• Lighter touch – easier to depress the keys
• Colorful – it now comes in raspberry and midnight blue
• Easier to use with a built-in eraser, a reading rest for reading the
page effortlessly, a handle which is easier to grip, front panel margin
guides and paper feed knobs that are easier to hold and turn

Like the classic Perkins Brailler, the Next Generation Perkins Brailler is
extremely durable and produces high-quality braille. Almost 60 years
after the first Perkins Brailler was produced, the Next Generation
Perkins Brailler will continue to play a part in bringing education,
literacy and independence to people throughout the world. Please
visit our website dedicated to the Next Generation Perkins Brailler at
www.perkinsbrailler.org for more information.

Perkins Products / Howe Press also provides many other products for
individuals who are blind, low-vision and/or have learning disabilities.
Please feel free to contact us for a catalog, or visit our website at
www.perkinsproducts.org for additional information on our general
product offering. In addition please visit www.perkins.org to learn
more about our history, our services and our other products
including assistive technology and publications.

Sincerely,

Steven M. Rothstein, President David Morgan, General Manager
Perkins School for the Blind Perkins Products
All we see is possibility

Product Benefits
Portability
Lighter – about 25% lighter
Easy-Grip Handle – Brailler is easier to carry
Smaller footprint – about 2 inches less wide and ˝ inch less high
Sound
Quieter – keystroke noise reduced by at least half plus the end-of-line bell is audible but muted
Ergonomics – Ease of Use
Less key force required
Shorter key stroke – keys are lower to the table creating a shorter keystroke; less awkward
to position fingers, more comfortable, less tiring and easier to braille for long periods
Features and Functions
Margin guides on front of brailler – easily accessible
Easy-Erase Button – easily erase the cell, then braille over
Reading Rest – provides a flat surface for checking the braille
Paper-Feed Knobs – shaped to fit a hand; easier to turn than a round knob
High contrast colors between keys and brailler body for low vision users
Highly durable – inner metal frame and shock-absorbing outer polycarbonate shell
Fits most common size paper – 28 cells; fits up to 8 ˝ inch wide and 14 inch long
paper (21.6 cmsW X 35.6 cms L)
Easy to service for regular cleaning and minor repairs – bottom screws can be removed
allowing access to brailler workings
Other Features and Benefits
Cool colors – raspberry, midnight blue
More environmentally friendly – less oil used, recyclable polycarbonate
More tactile-friendly – sleek lines and materials which are interesting to handle

UnpackingYour Brailler

1. As you open the box, you will find a plastic bag containing print
and braille copies of the brailler manual and a registration card.

2. Set the braille box in a vertical position on a flat surface so
the box handle is at the top, and open the box.

3. Remove the plastic wrap covering the brailler.

4. Reach into the box, use the handle which is the base of
the brailler to pull the brailler out of the box.

5. Enclosed with the brailler is a sheet of paper which shows
the results of a quality control and embossing test.

6. Gently pull the carriage lever back to the left in order to prepare
for inserting the paper. Depress the line spacing key on the left
of the brailler until it cannot be depressed any further to ensure
that the paper drum is in the proper position to accept paper.

Getting Started

Throughout the following sections, the assumption is that the
brailler is in front of you with the keys facing towards you.

NEW Next Generation Perkins Brailler Features

The Next Generation Perkins Brailler has a different look and feel
from the Classic Perkins Brailler, as well as new features and benefits
which will make it lighter and easier to use. Let us give you an
overview of the NEW Perkins Brailler.

Easy-Grip Handle
• The Easy-Grip Handle is integral to the brailler base, not a
separately attached handle. The base is constructed with an
opening below the keys which allows you to place your hand
underneath the keys in order to grasp the rounded base piece
which acts as a handle.

Margin Guides
• The margin guides are now on the front of the brailler above the
keys in a slot running the width of the brailler, making it easier to
set up the page. Above the slot are 36 raised lines to indicate cell
markings for orienting the cell position. Of the 36, 28 are available
for brailling. The first 5 markings on the left and the last 3
markings on the right indicate margins only and will not braille.

Gently push down on each margin guide and slide to the left or
right in order to position the margins. Once the margin guide is
positioned where you want it, move it slightly from left to right
until it clicks into place.

Above the margin guides and below the top of the brailler is a
series of raised lines which indicate the position of each braille cell.
Each cell width is marked by a short vertical line, and every fifth
cell is marked by a long vertical line for a total of 28 cell markings,
the maximum brailling width of the brailler.

PLEASE NOTE:
THE MAXIMUM PAPERWIDTH FORTHE NEXT GENERATION
BRAILLER IS 8 ˝ inches (21.6 cms). The brailler can accommodate
paper length up to approximately 14 inches (35.6 cms). For best
results, use 8 ˝ inch x 11 inch or A4 sized paper.

Easy-Erase Button and Carriage Release

The Next Generation Perkins Brailler has a feature which brailler
users have been asking for – a built-in erase function!

• To the right of the embossing head is a small round button which
is the Easy-Erase Button. If you make a mistake while brailling,
simply backspace twice, and then press the Easy-Erase Button
to flatten the braille cell.

• If you have moved beyond the error and need to go back to
correct it, find the cell which needs to be erased and position the
Easy-Erase button directly over the incorrect cell. Then, press the
Easy-Erase Button.

PLEASE NOTE:
• THE FIRST CELL OF A LINE CANNOT BE ERASED
WITH THE EASY-ERASE BUTTON
• THE EASY-ERASE BUTTON ELIMINATES THE ENTIRE
BRAILLE CELL – ALL 6 DOTS ARE ERASED.

Reading Rest

• The Reading Rest is located by reaching to the back of the brailler
at the bottom and gently pulling up on the rectangular piece so it
is level, and parallel with the table surface. The Reading Rest panel
has indentations on each side to accommodate your fingers and
enable you to gently pull the panel upwards.

• This feature was developed so that when brailling a user can read
what has been brailled more easily, without having to lean over
and manually support the paper in order to feel the braille cells.
The Reading Rest positions the paper and provides a hard, flat
surface against which to read the braille page.

• In addition, the Reading Rest has a raised line on the left side
which will help guide the paper into the brailler. Please do not
push hard on the Reading Rest or it will fall back into position
against the brailler.

The Perkins Brailler is guaranteed for one year against defective
materials and workmanship. If there is a problem using the brailler,
you can contact Perkins Products / Howe Press. For more timely
support, phone or e-mail communications are preferred.

PERKINS PRODUCTS / HOWE PRESS
Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon St.
Watertown, MA, USA 02472-2790
Telephone: 617-972-7308
Fax: 617-926-2027
Email: perkinsproducts@perkins.org
Website: www.perkinsbrailler.org, www.perkins.org

Staff will assist you to either solve the problem or make arrangements
for returning your brailler.

Your brailler was thoroughly oiled at the factory. Initially, you may
wish to roll a blank sheet of braille paper in and out of the machine
a few times to absorb any excess oil remaining inside. This process
will prevent any oil spots from appearing on your first pages of braille.

Be sure to keep the carton in which the brailler was shipped to you.

Using the carton is the easiest way to ship the brailler back to the
factory for repair.

Machine Layout and Basic Functions

Throughout this section, the assumption is being made that the
brailler is in front of you with the keys toward you.

Keys
There are nine keys across the front of the Perkins Brailler. The
spacebar is in the middle. If you move to the left of the spacebar,
you will find the keys for dots 1, 2, and 3, then the line spacing key at
the far left. If you move to the right of the spacebar, you will find the
keys for dots 4, 5, and 6, then the backspace key at the far right.

Paper-Feed Knobs
These knobs have been redesigned to be easier to hold and turn.
They project out from the left and right sides of the brailler, and are
used for rolling paper into and out of the machine. See the Inserting
and Removing Paper section for more information.

Paper Release Levers
There are two levers, one at each side of the brailler on the top
surface, near the back. They are moved by simply pulling towards
you to insert paper and pushing away from you to secure the
paper in place before rolling it into the brailler.

Carriage, Carriage Release Button and Easy-Erase Button,
and Embossing Head
The carriage includes the smooth Carriage Release Button, the

Easy-Erase Button and the embossing head. 
The function of the carriage is to move the embossing head across the paper, brailling
as it moves from left to right.
• To move the carriage to the right, you can use the spacebar or
gently press the Carriage Release Button on top of the brailler,
and slide the carriage to any position on the line. To stop the
carriage from moving, release the pressure on the button and
the carriage will stop in place.
• To move the carriage to the left, the Carriage Release Button is
not used. Rather, you simply put your hand to the right of the
carriage and push to the left.
• To ensure that the carriage will begin brailling at the left margin, it
is recommended that you pull the carriage all the way back to the
left by pushing on the right side of the carriage. The brailler will make
a slight clicking noise as the carriage moves, but this does not harm
the machine. Avoid roughly slamming the carriage to the left or
the right, as this can damage the embossing head.

Left and Right Margin Guides and Bell
The left and right margin guides are vertical raised tabs which can be
gently pushed down to adjust the margins by sliding each tab to the
left or right. They are located in a slot on the FRONT of the machine,
as opposed to the back of the machine on the Classic Perkins Brailler.
• The bell is fixed to the carriage and rings 3 cells before the end of
the line. You will notice that it is markedly quieter than the bell on
the Classic Perkins Brailler – still audible, but muted.
• Before setting margins, insert into the brailler a piece of paper of
the width you plan to use. Push down on the left margin guide
and slide it to the left until you cannot move it any farther, and
then release it. To position the right margin guide accurately, slide
the carriage to the position where you would like to set the right
margin. Once the margin guide is positioned where you want it,
move it slightly from left to right until it clicks into place.

• It is a good idea to move the carriage across the line after setting
the margins to be sure they are set correctly.

Inserting and Removing Braille Paper
The Next Generation Perkins Brailler is designed to use paper up
to 8 1/2 inches (21.6 cms) wide and up to 14 inches (35.6 cms)
long. It can accommodate up to one sheet of heavyweight braille
paper, which is .007 inches thick (or between 70 and 100 pound
weight measurement). Paper thicker than this will not fit easily
between the rollers.

Lightweight braille paper or any other paper that is relatively stiff
(approximately 70 pound weight) is fine. Notebook or copy paper
should not be used because it could easily tear and get caught in
the paper rolling mechanism. It also will not hold braille dots well.
Please be aware that the use of self-adhesive labels in the brailler
can cause difficulties. Over time, glue from these labels can build up
on the rollers and embossing pins. Labels can also peel off in the
brailler and adhere to the rollers or other parts of the machine. If
this should happen, maintenance by a trained repair technician
is recommended.

PLEASE NOTE:
FOR BEST RESULTS, HEAVYWEIGHT BRAILLE PAPER SHOULD
BE USED. DO NOT LEAVE BRAILLE PAPER IN THE MACHINE
FORAN EXTENDED PERIOD ORTHE PAPER WILL CURL.

Inserting Paper
Heavyweight paper is easier to insert than lightweight paper or
paper with bent corners. It is recommended that you set up your
machine as described in the following steps and use heavyweight
paper until you are comfortable inserting paper.
1. Press the line spacing key until it cannot be depressed any more
or turn the roller handles away from you until they stop turning.

2. Pull the paper release levers toward you as far as they will go.
You can use either or both levers. This separates the two rollers
slightly so you can insert the paper between the rollers and roll it in.

3. Lift the Reading Rest by reaching to the back of the brailler at
the bottom. The Reading Rest panel has indentations on each
side at the bottom to accommodate your fingers and enable you
to gently pull the panel upwards. Gently lift the Reading Rest and
pull it towards the middle of the brailler until it is level with the
surface on which the brailler is resting and it locks into place.
Take the narrow edge of the paper and rest it on the Reading
Rest, sliding the left side of the paper against the raised line
which acts as a paper guide.

4. Guide the paper gently under the embossing head and between
the rollers. Slide the paper left and right a little to make sure it is
in as far as it will go.

5. Hold the paper in place with one hand and with your other hand
push the paper release lever as far away from you as possible.

6. Let go of the paper. The paper should not move if you tug on it
gently from either end; it is clamped into the machine.

7. Turn one or both paper feed knobs toward you. Keep turning
the knobs toward you until you cannot turn them any farther.
The paper should then be rolled into the machine as far as it
will go. If the paper feed knobs will not turn, the paper was not
inserted correctly; pull the paper release levers toward you and
repeat steps 1 through 6.

8. Press the line spacing key once. Doing so engages the line spacing
mechanism and positions the top margin correctly.

Removing Paper
You can remove paper from the brailler by either pressing the line
spacing key repeatedly until it stops moving the paper, or by turning
the paper feed knobs away from you until they will not turn. Once
you have rolled the paper out all the way, pull the paper release
levers toward you and remove the paper. Do not pull the levers
toward you unless the paper is completely rolled out. Do not
yank or roughly pull paper out of the machine by force.

Brailling Tips
The following tips should help you produce high-quality braille:

• After the paper is rolled in, the line spacing key has been pressed
once, and the carriage is at the far left, you are ready to start brailling.

• The spacebar will move up and down when you press other keys;
this is normal.

• Try to press all the keys for a particular character at the same time.

• A consistent pressure when brailling will ensure the evenness of
your braille dots. The Perkins Brailler is designed so that once you
apply a certain amount of pressure to the keys, extra pressure will
not make the dots clearer.

• For comfort, keep your fingers curved rather than extended
straight when brailling. (Whatever position works best for you
is acceptable).

• Try to keep any fingers not needed for brailling a particular
character out of the way of other keys, so that you do not
inadvertently press keys or get unwanted dots in your brailling.

• After brailling each character, be sure to release all keys completely.
If you do not release all keys, the carriage may not advance
properly along the line.

• If the carriage sticks or is sluggish as it moves across a line, the
paper probably was not inserted correctly. Finish the line, then
roll the paper out and reinsert it. The spacing between the line
you just finished and the one you braille after reinserting the paper
may not be quite right, so if exact spacing is important, you may
need to start over on a fresh sheet of paper.

When you have brailled as much as you want on a line, press the
line spacing key and pull the carriage back to the left margin. Note
that if you braille all the way to the right margin, the keys will lock,
and you will be unable to braille anything until you move the carriage
back to the left.

Correcting Brailling Errors
As described above in the New Features section, the Easy-Erase
Button has made erasing part of the brailling process rather than a
separate step.

• To the right of the embossing head is a small round button which
is the Easy-Erase Button. If you make a mistake while brailling,
simply backspace twice, and then press the Easy-Erase Button
firmly 3 or 4 times to flatten the braille cell.

• If you have moved beyond the error and need to go back to
correct it, find the cell which needs to be erased and position the
Easy-Erase button directly over the incorrect cell. Then, press the
Easy-Erase Button.

PLEASE NOTE:
• THE FIRST CELL OF A LINE CANNOT BE ERASED
WITHTHE EASY-ERASE BUTTON.
• THE EASY-ERASE BUTTON ELIMINATESTHE ENTIRE
BRAILLE CELL – ALL 6 DOTS ARE ERASED.

• If you want to correct errors on a page, it is best to correct them
as you go or before you remove the paper from the brailler.

• This is because repeatedly rolling the paper back and forth can
cause it to creep, or move out of alignment, so that the additional
characters you braille are higher or lower than those already on
the line, making correcting mistakes difficult. The more you roll the
paper back and forth, the more noticeable the creeping becomes.
The amount of creeping also depends on the thickness and
stiffness of the paper you are using.

Care and Storage
When you are not using your Perkins Brailler, cover it with a towel
or cloth to prevent the collection of dust. Dust combines with oil
to form an abrasive paste which can damage the machine over time.
Try not to drop your brailler. Though it is designed to withstand
normal wear and tear and deliver years of service, it is a precision
machine which can be damaged by a fall.

The brailler is thoroughly oiled at the factory with non-oxidizing
oil, so you should not oil it yourself. Only non-oxidizing oil should
be used. Oiling should be done by a trained brailler repair
technician; otherwise, your brailler may be permanently damaged
or made inoperable.

The brailler is made of aluminum and indestructible polycarbonate.
Though durable, a sharp object can scratch it. Please handle your
brailler with care.

Do not leave the brailler in hot places such as on a radiator or in
direct sunlight. The polycarbonate outer shell and the rubber in the
machine could degrade with exposure to extreme heat.

Though the brailler is designed to withstand corrosion, try not to
expose it to excessive dampness. Exposing the machine to salt
water and spilling liquid into it are particularly damaging.

If you travel with your brailler, use a carrying case if you have one.
Try to keep the brailler from getting jostled, and do not check it
as baggage if at all possible. A soft side carrying case for the Next
Generation Perkins Brailler is available from Perkins Products / Howe
Press and works especially well for transporting the machine or
storing it when not in use.

Returning the Brailler for Repair

Please do not attempt to take the brailler apart unless you have
been trained to do so and have all the proper tools. The brailler
has over 350 unique parts that are very small, and these parts must
be placed exactly in the correct location for proper operation of
the machine.

If you are having minor difficulties with your brailler, contact Perkins
Products / Howe Press to see if the problem can be solved without
sending it in. If you do need to return the brailler, send a letter along
with the machine describing the problem. Be sure to include your
contact information and the serial number of your machine. The
serial number is on a sticker on the bottom of the brailler in both
print and braille.

If there is an obvious structural problem with your new brailler,
return the machine for a replacement.

When packing up your brailler, please do the following to protect it
during shipping:
1. Push the paper release levers away from you as far as they will go.

2. Move the carriage to the center of the brailler.

3. If you have the original packing material, pack the brailler as you
received it. If not, do the following:

4. Wrap the machine in paper or plastic.

5. Put the brailler in a large, strong box and pack crumpled
newspaper around it. It is especially important to pack the ends
well so that the paper feed knobs are at least two inches from
the sides of the box. Do not use small packing material such as
packing peanuts because these can get inside the machine and
create problems.

Send the brailler to Perkins Products / Howe Press, Perkins School
for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street,Watertown, MA, 02472,
USA. If you are mailing your brailler from within the U.S., write
“Braille writer returned for repairs” on the box. This allows you
to send it without postage, in accordance with Free Matter for
the Blind, Public Law 87-793.
There is a 90 day warranty on repair parts and labor.

PLEASE FILL OUTAND RETURNTHEWARRANTY CARD
TO PERKINS PRODUCTSTO ENSURETHATWE HAVE
YOUR INFORMATION ON RECORD.

Perkins Products / Howe Press does NOT pay for shipping damage,
so it is recommended that you insure your brailler. U.S. Postal code
will allow the sender to pay for additional insurance on braillers
shipped as “Free Matter for the Blind”.

Once your brailler is received, a repair technician will examine
your machine, identify problems and make necessary repairs. You
will then be contacted with the cost of those repairs. Once your
payment for the needed repairs is received the unit will be shipped
back to you. We realize the inconvenience of a broken machine
and will repair and return your brailler as soon as possible.


Perkins Products
Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472-2790 USA
Phone: +617-972-7308
Fax: +617-926-2027
perkinsproducts@perkins.org
www.perkinsbrailler.org
www.perkins.org