What Is a Plotter?
A plotter is an output device used for printing that requires a high-precision output and drawing (printing), such as architectural drawings. It is generally distinguished from a printer by the precision of its output.
Printers excel at outputting raster data (data consisting of a grid of single pixel dots arranged vertically and horizontally), whereas plotters are suitable for outputting vector data (a format that stores and reproduces numerical data such as the positions of multiple points and the lines, curves, and colors that connect them).
A plotter is therefore used for printing drawings and large-size posters that need to be drawn to precise dimensions.
Uses of Plotters
Plotters are used for printing large-size line drawings and graphics and cutting plotters that perform both printing and cutting.
Plotters are used to print drawings for the building and construction industry and for mechanical and electrical products, posters for the design industry, and large-format maps. They are used in many industries and locations, including construction sites, architecture, design, and design offices, university teaching sites, and public facilities.
Cutting plotters are used to cut thin materials such as cutting sheets, drawing paper, and cloth, and can cut materials according to the shape of the design loaded with data.
Principle of Plotters
The types and features of plotters are as follows:
There are three main types of plotters: pen plotters, raster plotters, and cutting plotters.
Pen plotters are plotters that draw by moving a pen left, right, up, and down with the input data. The pen used for drawing can be a ballpoint pen, ink pen, or mechanical pencil.
Raster plotters output and print the input data as dots, and their basic mechanism is the same as that of a printer. Inkjet, laser, electrostatic, and thermal output methods are available.
Cutting plotters are plotters that print and cut paper or film.
Recently, the boundary between plotters and printers has become blurred as printers have improved their line drawing and printing accuracy, and have also become capable of printing large-format prints. In particular, inkjet large format printers for CAD are increasingly used for printing drawings because of their high accuracy and clarity of line art and high output speed.