Plotter and its common faults
A plotter is an output device that is used to produce high quality graphics in a variety of colors. Plotters are used to create maps, architectural drawings, graphs and charts.
Types of Plotters
Different types of plotters are as
follows:
- Flatbed Plotter
- Drum Plotter
Flatbed Plotter:- Flatbed
plotter is used to plot of draw images. It contains pens for drawing images.
The paper is places on table‐like surface. Software instructs the pens to move
down on the paper. The pen then moves on the paper for creating images. Most
flatbed plotters have one or move pens of different colors and widths.
Drum plotter :- Drum
plotter uses a rotating drum or cylinder. The drawing pens are mounted on the
drum. The pens move to the left and right as the drum rotates. This movement
creates the desired image. The advantage of drum plotter is that the length of
the plot is almost unlimited. The roll paper can be used to draw very lengthy
images. The width of the image depends on the width of the
drum. (Figure: Drum Plotter)
Today,
mechanical plotters have been replaced by thermal, electrostatic and ink jet
plotters. These systems are faster and cheaper. They also produce large size
drawings.
There are two main types of plotters for printing: flatbed plotters
and drum plotters. Flatbed plotters use a system where the paper is fixed, and
the plotter moves a pen up and down, and left and right to draw the required
marks on the paper. Drum plotters move the pen up and down, and the paper left
and right by rotating the drum. This enables drum plotters to have a footprint
smaller than the final paper size. Plotters can use more than one pen, allowing
different colors to be drawn.
Dead Print Heads ‐ Over time, print heads will naturally wear out and need to be replaced just like brakes on your car. But, they can fail prematurely if they aren't properly cared for
- Non‐use is the biggest culprit to early print‐head failure
- Each print head has thousands of microscopic nozzles which can clog with dried ink.
- The two easiest remedies are to 1) perform routine internal print head checks and calibrations and 2) leave your machine powered on so that the automated cycle maintenance can be performed.
Paper Jams and Poor Stacking ‐ Most wide‐format printers rely on a gravity‐fed delivery system. In other words, the printed sheets simply fall out of the machine into a catch basket.
- Often, jams and stacking issues are exaggerated by curled plans from ink jet printers. If this is problematic, try printing on a heavier stock.
- LED plotters can have issues with static electricity. Although frustrating, this is an easy problem to correct with some anti‐static measures.
- Some systems offer flat stacking trays that are effective, but they can take up quite a bit of room.
- The new Océ plotters offer a top delivery system.
- Plotter manufactures systematically drop software support on older models when they announce an end to hardware support.
- Many tried and true legacy plotters won't be able to make the jump to Windows 7.
- Be sure to check on 64 bit compatibility in addition to Windows 7 support.
- Unfortunately, sometimes the only fix is to upgrade your printer technology with your operating system. The good news is that the price of wide‐format printers is significantly less than when you spent $8,000 on that HP1055 eight years ago
