Plotter

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Characteristics of a plotter

There are two main types of plotters, the flatbed plotter and the drum plotter. Flatbed plotters draw on a paper placed on a flat surface, and a drum plotter draws on paper wrapped around a drum.

  • The first step in using a plotter is to plot the coordinates on for where you want the picture to appear on the paper. Once the coordinates are plotted, the computer downloads coordinates to the plotter.
  • Then the plotter views the code and calculates the most useful path for pen and paper.
  • Afterwards, a programming language is used on the plotter. Nowadays most plotters use either Hewlett-Packard's HPGL2 or Houston Instruments' DMPL. Earlier plotters contained 2 pens that moved horizontally and vertically. Modern plotters use a sliding roller.
  • Using the plotter pen, the ink supply runs through the center of the rod and dispenses through the tip. The paper moves against the pen until the drawing is complete.
© James Morrison